Labour minister alleges plot to destabilise govt ahead of December

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Labour Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury has alleged that a group is conspiring to destabilise the government before December, amid spreading protests by garment workers.

He made the remarks on Sunday night after meeting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Bangladesh Secretariat, bdnews24.com reported.

“Discussions focused on [Sunday’s] developments. You know that a group is conspiring ahead of December and plotting to destabilise the government,” Ariful told journalists.

He alleged that individuals outside the labour movement were working with different organisations as part of the conspiracy, adding that the government would respond politically.

The Prime Minister called the emergency meeting after garment workers demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000 took to the streets in Mirpur, Gazipur and other areas, leading to clashes with police.

Ministers and advisers also discussed measures to restore stability and maintain public order across the country.

The meeting began at 6:00 PM in the Cabinet Division conference room and continued for around an hour and a half.

Ariful said the Prime Minister had instructed officials to ensure that factories remained operational and public safety was maintained.

“He said factories and industries must operate properly, people’s lives and property must be protected, and all of us must remain alert. He instructed us to take appropriate measures,” the minister said.