In spite of the strike call by Tuba Group workers, activities in garment producing areas learnt to be continued without any disruption at all garment factories across the country on Saturday. No such work abstention was observed in capital Dhaka, Savar, Narayanganj and Gazipur, sources said. The wages and over time bills for July will be distributed among workers of Tuba Group at Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association’s (BGMEA) head office in the capital on today (Sunday).Workers’ hunger strike and indefinite strike in the garments factories were called off as the owner of Tuba Group Delwar Hossain has agreed to pay his workers their wages and overtime for July on the day.The demands include paying of dues of workers and employees of all garment factories along with Tuba Group, providing exemplary punishment to Tuba Group owner Delwar Hossain cancelling his bail, stopping retrenchment and torture and attack on workers, withdrawal of cases against workers and the leaders.The sources said that police beat up the workers and drove out them from the factory on Thursday. Police also detained two workers’ leaders Moshrefa Mishu and Jolly Talukder from the spot but later released them in the night.The agitating garment workers under the banner of Tuba Group Sangram Committee called for an indefinite strike in all the garment factories across the country after the arrest.Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, who is the convener of Garment Sramik Samannay Parishad, said the Parishad comprising 50 labour associations was not connected with the call for strike.Operations were normal at every garment factories in Gazipur, said Assistant Director of Gazipur Industrial Police Abdul Khaleque.Strike was also not reported in Rupganj and Fatulla upazilas of Narayanganj, said Khandakar Mahid Uddin, superintended of police (SP) in the district.Monsur Khaled, BGMEA senior additional secretary, said according to the report, the factories were apparently unaffected by a strike.The owner of the Group, Delwar Hossain, has agreed to pay the arrears,” BGMEA Vice President Shahidul Azim the reporter over cell phone on Saturday afternoon.Workers’ leader Moshrefa Mishu said the hunger strike and indefinite strike in the garments factories were called off as their movement brought success.Around Tk 1.25 crore will be distributed among the workers today. The distribution will begin from 2:00pm, he said. The decision for payment of arrears to the Tuba workers was taken at a meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban at 6:00pm.Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan, State Minister for Labour and Employment Md Mojibul Haque Chunnu, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Atiqul Islam, its Vice-President Shahidul Azim, and representatives from workers were present at the meeting.On July 28, workers of five factories owned by Tuba Group went on a hunger strike for the outstanding payments of more than Tk 4.14 crore.
