Staff Reporter :
Several hundred readymade garment factory workers on Thursday demonstrated in front of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) complex in the capital and blocked Dhaka’s Elephant Road in demand of their two months arrears.
They alleged that the factory management was relocating the factory, but did not pay the workers their wages.
They said that the owner was shutting down Fashion Network Limited and subcontracting all the deals to other units, leaving the workers barren ahead of the festival of Eid.
“Eid will be held in the month of June. So, we want the owner to pay us two months’ dues and two more months’ salary as lay off compensation,” said Shilpi Akhter, a worker.
The protesters said that they were not paid for three and a half months. The owners have agreed to pay one-and-a-half-month’s wages, but the workers demanded the full amount.
They also warned of tough movement if their demand was not met.
The agitation ended after a meeting between the delegation of the workers and the BGMEA leaders at night.
Earlier, in the morning they blocked the Elephant Road for about six hours to press home their demand.
The protests halted traffic around the Bata Crossing and nearby areas since 4pm.
When contacted, the factory’s Managing Director Syed Shahjahan Ali Jewel told The New Nation that they were shifting their factory. On the note of the workers, he said, “BGMEA will handle them”.
Officer-in-Charge of New Market Police Station Atiqur Rahman said that he was trying to calm the situation. “They say they want four months’ wages.”
The protesters were refusing any vehicle to pass through Elephant Road. Commuters were left to pass only on foot.
Several hundred readymade garment factory workers on Thursday demonstrated in front of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) complex in the capital and blocked Dhaka’s Elephant Road in demand of their two months arrears.
They alleged that the factory management was relocating the factory, but did not pay the workers their wages.
They said that the owner was shutting down Fashion Network Limited and subcontracting all the deals to other units, leaving the workers barren ahead of the festival of Eid.
“Eid will be held in the month of June. So, we want the owner to pay us two months’ dues and two more months’ salary as lay off compensation,” said Shilpi Akhter, a worker.
The protesters said that they were not paid for three and a half months. The owners have agreed to pay one-and-a-half-month’s wages, but the workers demanded the full amount.
They also warned of tough movement if their demand was not met.
The agitation ended after a meeting between the delegation of the workers and the BGMEA leaders at night.
Earlier, in the morning they blocked the Elephant Road for about six hours to press home their demand.
The protests halted traffic around the Bata Crossing and nearby areas since 4pm.
When contacted, the factory’s Managing Director Syed Shahjahan Ali Jewel told The New Nation that they were shifting their factory. On the note of the workers, he said, “BGMEA will handle them”.
Officer-in-Charge of New Market Police Station Atiqur Rahman said that he was trying to calm the situation. “They say they want four months’ wages.”
The protesters were refusing any vehicle to pass through Elephant Road. Commuters were left to pass only on foot.
