Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has accused certain groups of inciting unrest to disrupt production in garment factories for what he described as narrow political interests, warning that such activities would be dealt with firmly.

He made the remarks on Tuesday at the Secretariat while responding to journalists’ questions about the ongoing garment workers’ movement over wages.

“Some quarters are inciting people to disrupt garment production in pursuit of narrow political objectives. We will deal with this firmly,” the Home Minister said.

He added that legal action would be taken against anyone involved in provocative activities aimed at forcing garment factories to shut down.

Asked about the closure of a number of factories, Salahuddin said the authorities expected arrangements to be made to reopen them soon.

He said the government held discussions on Monday with leaders of almost all workers’ organisations, garment factory owners and representatives of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA). According to him, all participants were satisfied with the discussions.

The minister also warned that some miscreants might attempt to carry out attacks. He said workers’ demands had been addressed and a wage board had been formed. Negotiations over setting the minimum wage would now take place through the board.

“There is no scope for creating instability now,” he said, alleging that certain groups linked to the ousted fascist forces were attempting to create unrest for political purposes and to serve narrow political interests.

He reiterated that the government would take firm action against such activities.