As Dhaka has fallen to the angry RMG workers, daily commuters feel the full brunt of it. Workers longing for a scheduled pay rise in the new year feel deceived when some workers at different grades saw their wage did not rise as much as that of their coworkers.
They fretted over the discrimination and occupied the streets when no measures were seen to redress their grievances. In the industrial zone of Ashulia, skirmishes between workers and owners have been going on since December.
The new wage increase has come into effect from first January. Having counted the salary, many realized the bosses, some of whom made into the parliament, reneged on agreed promises. In some factories, salaries are due for months. The feeling of deception culminated into an angry protest that managed to block several key roads in the garments quarters of Dhaka.
The bosses wriggled out responsibilities by pointing finger to vested interest group. They are preoccupied with the thought that someone is constantly hatching troubles to kill the golden goose of Bangladesh economy. Quite oblivious to the fact that vested quarters will stir trouble if there is anger and grievances among certain section of the population.
What rubbed salt to blue collars' injuries is absence of their representation in the parliament. Meanwhile, many of the RMG bosses again became MPs with brief stint into politics or having no ties to politics at all. A particular section of a crucial industry has given a bigger role in policy making while the others remain cornered.
Earlier veteran left leaders were called on to join the cabinet. It was assumed that these former rabble rousers would take care of the workers ' interests in policy making table.
This time in the new cabinet many of them were shown the exit door. In the election, the left alliance also suffered a crushing defeat. The alliance blamed the ruling party for unprecedented irregularities.
Net result is that the voice of the voiceless across the aisle has become feeble in the new parliament.
To me, it is a governance issue. It could have been dealt differently. It is no secret that in this time of the year we usually witness workers' unrest . Government did not take measures to abate those recurring tensions.
Despite its assurances, its words translate into action with significant delays that could do great harm in its efforts to trust building measures across different social groups.
Bringing on board a section of a crucial industry, it effaces the thin red line between regulator and boss. Problems are there to be solved, so are the tensions.
The crisis of governance is writ large on domestic roads and foreign shores.
On the new year's eve, Sri Lankan Police detained 5 Bangladeshis and seized a huge quantity of heroin and cocaine. It was Sri Lanka's biggest seizure of narcotics. From press reports, Bangladeshis were running the drug racket in Colombo. One of the members made frequent trips there misusing the on arrival visa opportunity.
Later last week a Philippine bank sentenced a Bank manager to 32-56 years of imprisonment for having links in Bangladesh Bank heist that jolted the whole financial world and laid bare vulnerability of online financial payment systems. Bangladesh has yet to conclude its investigation, but the incident has left a serious question mark on its financial institutions, which are still reeling from widespread corruption.
Earlier a Thai serving General was sentenced to life imprisonment after he had been found involved in human trafficking that caused deaths of hapless Rohingyas and Bangladeshis. However, not a single Bangladeshi was identified or tried for having links in human trafficking via sea.
In USA, Texas news papers were carrying reports how everyday Texas border patrol nabbed illegal Bangladeshis while crossing the Rio Grande river. Casting serious doubts over Bangladesh's trumpeting of its economic achievements.
In Italy, Bangladeshis topped the list of boat-riding asylum seekers, many of whom fleeing war back home. Situation in Bangladesh was not as dire as in those war-torn countries. Why did so many Bangladeshis take such a perilous boat ride?
Others will also search answer to question like why Bangladesh is failing to curb drugs.
Throwing the garbage over neighbor's roof or backyard does not prove one's smartness in dealing with the garbage. Rather, its discovery could jeopardize the relationship with the neighbor and lead to untoward outcome.
Maybe ruling class does not care about the feelings of Bangladeshis in tackling with governance issues. But when these issues cause trouble on foreign shores, others will react. Bilateral relations may survive the twists and turns , but sympathy towards Bangladesh is likely to take a hit. In tackling with the Rohingya crisis, Bangladesh is gradually realizing this harsh truth.
And the ongoing RMG crisis is just another reminder that ruling class should put the house in order.