Garment workers stage protest in Ctg as owners abscond without paying wages, Eid bonus

Workers of a garment factory in the Alankar intersection area of Chattogram city have begun protesting after the factory owners allegedly fled without paying their wages and Eid bonuses.

The workers started their protest inside the factory premises yesterday afternoon (16 March), demanding payment of their outstanding wages and bonuses. The protest also continued today.

Confirming the matter, Superintendent of Chattogram Industrial Police Abdullah Al Mahmud said the factory employs a total of 122 workers and staff.

He said that while some workers received their January salary, most employees have not been paid their wages for January and February, nor their Eid bonus.

"Workers were informed that 50% of their wages would be paid today. When they came to the factory to receive the payment, the owners left the premises without paying them," he said.

Later, it was learned that the factory owners, Jamal Hossain and Iqbal Hossain, had fled, he added.

Police said they went to the factory after receiving the information but could not find the owners.

Attempts to locate them by visiting their residences and contacting their mobile phones also failed.

SP Abdullah Al Mahmud said the authorities had considered selling the factory machinery to settle the workers' dues. However, verification showed that the machines were not owned by the factory and had been operating on a rental basis.