At a meeting at the office of Gono Forum in Motijheel in the city, they sought legal help from eminent lawyer Dr Kamal Hossain, who is also president of Gono Forum.

The industry owners do not implement the labour laws and now they are ignoring the agreement signed on June 22 following widespread labour unrest in the garment sector, the workers' leaders said.

The leaders also demanded that Gono Forum, as the political party led by Dr Kamal Hossain, protest against the garment owners' non-implementation of the agreement.

"The labourers of the garment industry may become furious again if the agreements are not implemented soon," said Salahuddin Swapan, president of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Garments Sramik Federation.

As per agreement between Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), the authorities were to withdraw the cases filed against the workers following the recent labour unrest, but nothing concrete has been done till now, said Towhidur Rahman, a leader of the 16 workers' organisations.

BGMEA had also pledged that the factories would remain closed on Fridays from July 1, but not even 1 per cent of the factories were closed on last Friday, he said.

The owners' proposal to the wage board for Tk 1,230 as the lowest wage for the workers is also condemnable, he said, adding that a worker cannot pass even 10 days with the money.

Shamima Nasrin, president of Swadhin Bangla Garments Sramik Karmochari Federation, said according to the agreement the factory authorities were to issue identity cards and appointment letters to the workers within July 12 and allow three-month maternity leave with pay, but none of those were implemented as of yesterday.

She urged Dr Kamal Hossain to look into the matter of serious violations of law by the garment factory owners.

About legal assistance to the garment workers, Dr Kamal said, "I have been doing this as a lawyer, not as a politician."

He listened to the leaders of the 16 organisations that represent the workers of about 2,500 garment factories and inquired if they have good coordination among themselves.

Both the garment owners and workers have contribution to the survival of the garment industry of the country despite many global challenges, he said, adding that the skill of the workers should be specially recognised.

Dr Kamal inquired about the chronology of meetings with the industry owners and original documents of the agreements between the workers and the owners.

Gono Forum leaders Mostafa Mohsin Montu and Mesbahuddin Ahmed were also present at the meeting.