Workers of a readymade garments (RMG) factory in Savar yesterday demonstrated in front of their factory, demanding arrear salaries.

Around 700 workers of Trendy Outerware Ltd in Belma area started their demonstration around noon. Later, they held a rally blocking Bishmail-Zirabo road for one hour.

Demonstrators also tried to block Dhaka-Aricha highway but police intervened, reports our Savar correspondent.

The workers said factory authorities declared the factory shut on October 15 without paying salaries of the previous and current months. They said they have asked the authorities for the salaries multiple times already, but only received false promises.

‘They said our salary would be paid on Wednesday [yesterday]. But we when got to the factory, we saw the gate was open but there was no one there,” said Nargis Begum, a worker.

“After this, we began protesting and tried to block the Dhaka-Aricha Highway. Police assured us that our salary would be paid tomorrow [today],” she said.

“We are requesting factory authorities to pay workers’ salaries by tomorrow [today],” Safiur Islam Sultan, Savar thana unit secretary of Bangladesh Readymade Garments Workers Federation told The Daily Star.

The workers will go for tougher movement if their demands are not met, the labour leader added.    

Owners of the factory could not be reached for comments despite repeated phone calls.

Contacted, Sana Shaminur Rahman, superintendent of Dhaka-1 industrial police, said factory authorities said they would pay the salary by today.

Earlier on Sunday, the workers demonstrated in front of BGMEA building. They returned after getting assurance from BGMEA authorities that they would look into the matter.

DYEING MILL WORKERS DEMONSTRATE IN GAZIPUR

Meanwhile, demanding arrears of two months’ salary, workers of Adib Dyeing Mills yesterday demonstrated near Mawna intersection on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway at 10am.

Later, around 2pm, they held a rally in front of the factory, reports our Gazipur correspondent.

Agitating workers said they have been staging a sit-in in front of the factory since September 29, but their demands were yet to be met.

Acting officer-in-charge of Sreepur Police Station Liakat Ali said they are trying to resolve the issue through discussions with factory authorities.

Published On : 31-10-2019

Source : The Daily Star