They said the 10-point MoU signed by the government, garment owners and labour leaders on June 12 is the minimum demand of the workers and it should be implemented within the stipulated time for the sake of country's premier export-earning sector.

The roundtable titled 'Prevailing situation in the garment sector, workers' movement and what to do' was held in the city. It was organised by Saptahik Ekota, a mouthpiece of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB).

In a keynote paper Economist Prof M M Akash said garment owners enjoy the lion's share of the profit from garment sector, but labourers are working there with minimum wages years after years leading to their resentment and subsequent agitation.

"If the owners provide all necessary facilities to workers, and assure good governance and infrastructure at garment factories, real cost of production will ultimately reduce," he added.

Prof Akash said all garment owners would have to realise that the best profit can come through the development of owner-worker relationship.

A number of labour leaders alleged that the owners do not comply with any kind of law and behave like a lord with the workers.

They become ironic when workers demand for their basic rights, they added.

Some garment factory owners however denied the allegation saying that they are always conscious about workers' rights.

They further said the so-called 'trade union' would create unstable situation in garment sectors and destroy small factory owners.

CPB President Monjurul Ahsan Khan, Columnist Sayed Abul Moksud, Bangladesh Trade Union Kendra General Secretary Wazedul Islam Khan, Ain O Salish Kendra Executive Director Hamida Hossain, Mohammad Hatem of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Saptahik Ekota Executive Editor Shaheen Rahman also took part in the roundtable.