Workers of 2 RMG factories on warpath over dues

Hundreds of workers of two readymade garments factories in Gazipur yesterday held demonstrations demanding their salaries.

Sources in the police and from among the workers said though the authorities of the factories of Union Garments and Union Knitware at Mulaid under Sreepur upazila in Gazipur district had earlier given assurances to the workers several times, they had failed to pay workers’ salaries for the months of June and July.

On Sunday, around 8am, workers of both the factories held demonstrations in front of the factory gate demanding their salaries and stayed away from work. Later, the irate workers vandalised the factories. They also blocked the MC Bazar–Shishu Palli road from 10am to 11am.

The police rushed to the spot and lobbed teargas shells to disperse the agitating workers and bring the situation under control. Several workers and five students of a nearby madrasa were injured. The principal of Wajed Ali Islamia Kawmi Madrasha and Yatimkhana, Mufti Monirul Islam Gazipuree, said five students—identified as Sidratul, Habibur, Elias, Jayedul and Azizul—were injured in the incident.

Alleging that they had faced serious problems as their salaries for two months had not been paid, a sewing operator of one of the factories, Lutfunnahar, said: “Even before the Ramadan Eid, we didn’t get our salaries. Later, the authorities paid only the salaries without bonus. Again, the authorities have not paid our salaries after Eid till now. We can’t pay our house rent and we’re finding it extremely difficult to run our households.”

Assistant manager (administration) of one of the factories, Bazlul Rashid, said: “We couldn’t pay the salaries and other allowances due to the financial crisis. We’ll pay all the arrears on August 16.” Meanwhile, the authorities have closed the factories for the day due to the workers’ unrest and put up a notice at the factory gate.

Selim Reza, assistant sub-inspector of Gazipur Industrial Police, said: “On being informed of the agitation, the police rushed to the spot. We had to hurl teargas shells to bring the situation under control.”

Workers of 2 RMG factories on warpath over dues

Hundreds of workers of two readymade garments factories in Gazipur yesterday held demonstrations demanding their salaries. Sources in the police and from among the workers said though the authorities of the factories of Union Garments and Union Knitware at Mulaid under Sreepur upazila in Gazipur district had earlier given assurances to the workers several times, they had failed to pay workers salaries for the months of June and July. On Sunday, around 8am, workers of both the factories held demonstrations in front of the factory gate demanding their salaries and stayed away from work. Later, the irate workers vandalised the factories. They also blocked the MC BazarShishu Palli road from 10am to 11am. The police rushed to the spot and lobbed teargas shells to disperse the agitating workers and bring the situation under control. Several workers and five students of a nearby madrasa were injured. The principal of Wajed Ali Islamia Kawmi Madrasha and Yatimkhana, Mufti Monirul Islam Gazipuree, said five studentsidentified as Sidratul, Habibur, Elias, Jayedul and Azizulwere injured in the incident. Alleging that they had faced serious problems as their salaries for two months had not been paid, a sewing operator of one of the factories, Lutfunnahar, said: Even before the Ramadan Eid, we didnt get our salaries. Later, the authorities paid only the salaries without bonus. Again, the authorities have not paid our salaries after Eid till now. We cant pay our house rent and were finding it extremely difficult to run our households. Assistant manager (administration) of one of the factories, Bazlul Rashid, said: We couldnt pay the salaries and other allowances due to the financial crisis. Well pay all the arrears on August 16. Meanwhile, the authorities have closed the factories for the day due to the workers unrest and put up a notice at the factory gate. Selim Reza, assistant sub-inspector of Gazipur Industrial Police, said: On being informed of the agitation, the police rushed to the spot. We had to hurl teargas shells to bring the situation under control.