The Dhaka Times Desk The workers of Tazreen Fashions Limited, which was burnt in Ashulia's Nishchintpur, also protested on the morning of Saturday 1 December for various demands, including payment of outstanding salaries. After protesting in stages, they went to the Jirabo bus stand area of Abdullahpur-Bypail highway and blocked the road and clashed with the police.
At least 15 workers were injured during the clash. Later, the workers went to a school ground near the factory during the day and included their names in the list prepared by the delegation of Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association BGMEA, but were not paid. A BGMEA official said that they did not get their salary on Saturday as they did not reach an agreement with the BGMEA delegation.
Why labor protests?
On December 1, Saturday around 9 am, the surviving workers of Tazreen Fashions factory started gathering in front of the factory. After that, they started protesting for November salary and salary for the next three months, total salary for four months and rehabilitation of the workers. They also demanded the arrest of the culprits involved in the fire incident including the owner of the factory.
Police and eyewitnesses said that around 9:30 am on December 1, the workers marched in front of Tazreen Fashions to block the Bypail-Abdulsnahpur highway. At that time, when the police stopped them, the workers came back and stood in front of the nearby Net Asia factory and called upon the workers of that factory to join them. But the factory workers did not respond to their calls. At this time, additional police reached the spot and brought the situation under control. At around 10 am, the workers took a position at the local Nischintpur private registered primary school ground. At this time the police surrounded them. At one stage around 11:30 am, the workers started pelting bricks at Panko and New Age Apparels Limited factories near Jirabo bus stand on Abdulsnahpur-Bypail highway along with a protest march and called upon the workers of the two companies to join them. At that time, when the New Age factory workers joined them, thousands of workers blocked the Abdullahpur-Bypail highway. After laying siege for about half an hour, the police tried to evacuate the workers but failed. Later, when additional police came and tried to disperse the workers by lathi charge, the workers-police clash ensued. At least 15 workers were injured. At one point, the workers retreated and went back to the Nishchintapur primary school ground.
Some workers said that they came in front of the factory after hearing that their salary will be paid on Saturday, December 1. They came to know that BGMEA wants to take all the workers to one of their offices in Tongi. But they don't want to go there.
A worker named Zohra Begum of Tazreen Fashions said that the workers are owed their salary for the month of November. And the staff is owed two months salary. There is no guarantee when the factory will be operational. Therefore, they are marching to demand the payment of salary for the month of November along with the salary of the next three months.
BGMEA official statement
Yesterday, on December 1, a delegation of BGMEA came to Nishchintpur area to pay the workers of Tazreen Fashions Limited. BGMEA director Abdul Ahad Ansari was in that group. He said, throughout the day they made a list of those who worked at Tajreen Fashions Limited. About 1,150 workers have been registered. But there are many workers in this list who left the job a few months ago. After verifying the matter, some complications have arisen in paying the salary. In the afternoon, the workers were taken to the IRI office of BGMEA in Tongi area and there was no agreement with them. BGMEA also kept 10 buses ready at Nishintpur area to take their tongis. He also said that in the afternoon it was decided on Sunday 2 December that a delegation consisting of local public representatives, labor union representatives, two representatives, a supervisor, a line chief, various administrations and a few people will go to the Dhaka office of BGMEA. After discussion with them, a decision will be made regarding payment of salary.
Two garment factories of Ishwardi EPZ have been announced to be closed
Our Ishwardi representative said that due to various reasons including worker dissatisfaction, the authorities have finally announced the closure of two factories named Roshita Knitwear and Megatex Private Limited of Ishwardi EPZ for an indefinite period. These two sweater factories in China announced the closure from Saturday yesterday and notices were put on the main gates of the two factories on Thursday night. Around six and a half thousand workers became jobless due to sudden closure of two factories. This has created anger among the workers.
Meanwhile, the sudden announcement of closure has created anger among the workers of the two factories. Police have been deployed at both the factories to avoid any untoward situation.
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