EMBASSY CAUTIONS GOB AGAINST CASTING TOO WIDE A

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 000115 SIPDIS SIPDIS PASS TO USTR: MARIDETH SANDLER E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2018 TAGS: ELAB EAID PREL SOCI KTEX BG SUBJECT: EMBASSY CAUTIONS GOB AGAINST CASTING TOO WIDE A NET FOLLOWING LABOR UNREST REF: A. 07 DHAKA 01604 ¶B. 07 DHAKA 01552 Classified By: ADCM Jon Danilowicz for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In the wake of worker unrest in the vicinity of Dhaka in early January, the USG-funded American Center for International Labor Solidarity (ACILS) and partner NGOs report being harassed by Bangladesh,s security forces. We have been told that an ACILS employee was arrested on January 22, possibly by mistake, and ACILS partner NGO leaders are avoiding their offices for fear of arrest. Post is engaging the GOB and key stakeholders to clarify the role of ACILS and its partner organizations. Lack of trust, bad information, and broken communication channels among key stakeholders has contributed to hasty and poor decision-making by relevant GOB authorities. The GOB reaction also reflects the concern by the security forces that minor incidents such as labor unrest could spark widespread protests against the caretaker government and threaten stability. END SUMMARY. JANUARY,S WORKER UNREST -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In early January, labor agitation broke out around garment factories located in Savar (outside Dhaka). These factories are located outside Export Processing Zones, where worker unrest occurred last year. The continuing rise in the prices of essential commodities is cited as the cause for generalized worker edginess and discontent. However, two precipitating events at separate factories appear to have been politically exploited, according to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturer and Exporter,s Association (BGMEA). At one factory, the dead body of garment worker (who died at home) was brought to the factory by her co-workers to create the appearance that the worker died at work in order to allow the family to claim compensation. This led to one mass disturbance. Despite the fact of a natural cause of death was later conceded by the family, the factory owner paid compensation to the family nonetheless. ¶3. (SBU) At a second factory, mid-level managers claimed (falsely) that medical benefits and meal allowances were being curtailed due to the worker,s efforts to form a union (NOTE: The NGO Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity (BCWS) was working with the assistance of ACILS at this factory. END NOTE). According to ACILS, and BCWS, this led to a peaceful walk-out, and an ensuing negotiation in which the factory owner clarified that the meal allowance had been reduced due to the increase in food prices, and the medical benefit temporarily suspended due to the owner giving all his zakat (Islamic charity) to victims of Cyclone Sidr. During the negotiation, which was facilitated by BCWS and BGMEA, the owner said the medical benefit would be reinstated in future months. However, when the workers returned to work, once again the middle managers falsely claimed that because of their association with BCWS and disrespect shown to the factory owner, the medical benefit would never be provided again. This led to a second walk-out, which then devolved into a bigger riot involving workers from surrounding factories. During the melee, BCWS representatives were present to try to assuage the workers and to get them to stay in the factory, per the prior negotiated settlement. WORKER UNREST AND POLITICAL AGITATION -------------- ¶4. (C) In another incident, the presence of politically-connected labor agitators was noted by both BCWS staff and the BGMEA adviser. Both sources claimed the recent labor unrest had the hallmarks of deliberate exploitation by labor agitators from the Bangladesh Communist Party and socialist leaning political parties. They independently identified alleged agitators who were observed at the scene of the Savar labor violence. However, the BGMEA adviser characterized the presence of BCWS leaders as being among the agitators. BCWS representatives said they were there to see through the implementation of the negotiated settlement they helped to broker. DHAKA 00000115 002 OF 002 ¶5. (C) Consistent with patterns noted in prior reporting, January,s worker violence was sparked by factors essentially unrelated to traditional labor issues. In the absence of effective and institutionalized means for channeling worker concerns and grievances, small issues quickly escalate beyond the abilities of untrained and unprofessional middle managers. Once a given factory,s workers take to the street, workers from other factories are quickly added to the mix; either voluntarily in solidarity or involuntarily as owners preemptively shut down and secure their factories in anticipation of impending violence. Given worker concerns over inflation, political opportunists opposed to the current caretaker government are believed by both legitimate labor groups and the BGMEA to be exploiting any occasion for stirring up violence among factory workers. ACILS LIKELY NOT TARGETED -------------- ¶6. (C) Following January,s incidents, GOB law enforcement authorities were directed to bring the perpetrators to justice. In the resulting dragnet, the offices of ACILS and BCWS were included in the investigation. Mr. Ranjit Halder, an ACILS site manager, who works in a combined office for ACILS and BCWS, was arrested on January 22. Police investigators have repeatedly visited ACILS Dhaka office and questioned all staff on site. Leaders of BCWS said they are staying away from their offices because they fear arrest. (Comment: Halder may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time and not targeted for arrest because of his ACILS connection). ¶7. (C) The Embassy has expressed concern regarding the arrest of the ACILS staff member with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We have also inquired with police and other security force contacts about Halder,s arrest and urged that he and others detained be treated humanely and afforded due process. LABOFF met with BGMEA representatives to encourage direct dialogue with ACILS and BCWS. We have highlighted the potential negative outcomes of undue pressure on legitimate labor groups, , especially given the current USG review of the AFL-CIO,s GSP petition, which asserts labor groups in Bangladesh face intimidation from security forces. We plan to meet with the ACILS representative when he returns to Dhaka next week. COMMENT -------------- ¶8. (C) The harassment and arrest of the USG-funded ACILS illustrates the lack of understanding by the GOB of the strategic goals and purpose of ACILS and its partner labor organizations. The BGMEA, individual factory owners, middle managers, and even key elements of the Government of Bangladesh are unable to accurately differentiate the various agendas and types of labor groups that operate in Bangladesh. Thus, when law enforcement agents seek culprits for worker violence, the visible legitimate organizations involved in lawfully helping workers unionize are often the first to be targeted. The reaction by the police also reflects the GOB,s concern that a minor spark could set off widespread demonstrations that might threaten the stability of the regime. Some in the GOB also remain convinced that outsiders (including political parties and foreign elements) are looking for ways to destabilize the caretaker government. Rollins