Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08DHAKA115
2008-01-24 13:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:  

EMBASSY CAUTIONS GOB AGAINST CASTING TOO WIDE A

Tags:  ELAB EAID PREL SOCI KTEX BG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0215
OO RUEHBI RUEHCI
DE RUEHKA #0115/01 0241308
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 241308Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6078
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0658
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 8282
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 9503
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1759
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0444
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 0942
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 1125
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 0278
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)


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