Fresh RMG worker protests in Ashulia demand wage hikes primarily

Just as the situation in Dhaka's Ashulia seemed to have stabilised after more than two consecutive weeks of labour unrest on various demands, the ready-made garment workers started fresh protests today demanding an increase in minimum wages.

While workers in several factories in Ashulia have now demanded Tk25,000 as minimum wage, workers of some Gazipur factories also staged demonstrations and blockaded Dhaka-Mymensingh highway today, demanding increased attendance bonus.

Union leaders said though they support the demand of increasing minimum wages, they oppose the route of protests the workers are taking. They also hinted that the movement by the workers might have been incited by an outside group.

However, the fresh protests came as a surprise for the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) as several demands by the workers had been accepted recently.

To control the situation, Labour and Employment Ministry Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain sat with the workers' representative today, and has scheduled a meeting with RMG exporters today in his secretariat office.

In Ashulia, ready-made garment workers from several factories located on both sides of the Bypail-Abdullahpur road in the Zirabo area of Ashulia halted work this morning and gathered on their factory premises, chanting "twenty-five, twenty-five" to press for their demand of Tk25,000 as minimum wage.

According to industry sources, the workers who started protesting in the Ashulia belt were from several factories, including Net Asia, Dekko, Envoy and Vintage.

According to a source of the industrial police, after the labour unrest last week, the overall situation in the industrial area was normal until Saturday; but from this morning, the workers of various factories started protests again.

Police said the workers of some factories tried to blockade the road in the morning, but the joint forces stopped them.

An official of Dekko Group, who did not want to be named, told The Business Standard this morning, "We have accepted the demands of the workers in the first phase. But now the workers are protesting with new demands, especially the demand of Tk25,000 wages and they want instant decisions.

"Some demanded that the price of tiffin, which was increased to Tk40, should be increased to Tk50 and someone is asking to increase the attendance bonus which has already been increased from Tk300 to Tk800."

In December 2023, the Bangladesh Minimum Wage Board established the garment sector's minimum wage as Tk12,500 per month, a little over $100.

Meanwhile, workers of Mondol Intimates Limited blockaded the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Bagher Bazar area of Gazipur Sadar upazila today, demanding an increase in their attendance bonus.

The protests on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway began in the morning, causing severe traffic congestion on both lanes of the highway and disrupting the movement of vehicles, leaving commuters stranded.

To bring the situation under control, members of the army and industrial police were deployed at the scene.

In another incident, workers of Asrotex Limited in Gazipur's Sreepur started a work stoppage in the morning, demanding a minimum attendance bonus of Tk1,000, an increase in tiffin allowance, and salary adjustments based on their grades. 

Talking to TBS, SM Azizul Haque, assistant superintendent of police at the Sreepur camp of the industrial police, said, "Workers from two factories are protesting. We are in talks with the authorities of both factories and hope to resolve the issue soon."

Photo: Collected

Khairul Mamun Mintu, the legal secretary of the Bangladesh Garments and Sweater Workers Trade Union Center, told TBS, "There's no disagreement from our side on the need to raise workers' wages and implement a rationing system. These are necessary steps.

"But we do not support the way the workers are currently protesting."

Mintu said, "I believe the workers should exercise some patience because the new government has just taken office, and the discussions on these matters are already progressing in a positive direction."

Although the labour leaders do not have much control over the workers in this movement, Mintu said, "The new government has mentioned that the issue of workers' wages will be reconsidered. So far, the government has been speaking in favour of the workers, even suggesting the introduction of TCB cards."

He added, "So, we do not find the current method of striking and protesting justified. There might be incitement from a particular group behind this movement. If you notice, only 1-2% of factories are repeatedly facing issues."

Mintu further said, "In a recent meeting with the joint forces, I pointed out that it's noticeable how only a handful of factories are the source of these troubles. I believe it should be investigated who is behind this and why. If the owners can identify and engage in discussions with them, I think the issue can be resolved. Simply filing lawsuits after layoffs will not solve the problem."

Md Elias, general secretary of Green Bangla Garments Workers' Federation, told TBS, "We do not support the workers' current demand for a minimum wage of Tk25,000 taka. There is a proper process for wage increases, and it is a time-consuming matter."

"It hasn't even been a year since the new wage structure was implemented. I believe workers should exercise some patience. 

"We agree that the current wage should be adjusted given the rising cost of living. However, the government should be given time, and demands should be raised through a peaceful process," he added.

Talking with TBS, Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, president of BGMEA said the factory owners have already agreed with major demands of the workers – to increase attendance bonus and tiffin bills – and the RMG labour leaders had also agreed to resume production in all factories. 

"Now, a new demand for a wage hike is very surprising," he said.

"We have to wait till the meeting with the labour adviser [to be held tomorrow] to take further decision," said the BGMEA president 

On Saturday, his board decided to reopen all factories as they got commitment from the workers' leaders. But now the BGMEA has come back from their decision to reopen lay-off factories as unrest continued today.

He also mentioned that the advisor and his ministry is set to make a unified standard for all RMG workers across the country. 

27 factories closed in Ashulia industrial zone

A total of 27 factories in Ashulia's industrial zone have ceased operations today, according to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

BGMEA said 13 of these factories have been shut down under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006, which enforces the "no work, no pay" policy. The remaining 14 factories are closed, with some workers on paid leave or not reporting to work.

Meanwhile, 245 factories in the Ashulia region continue to operate, while six factories have yet to pay wages for August, BGMEA added. 

A total of 266 factories in the area have already cleared their August salaries.

In Gazipur, 876 factories are currently operating, with six closed. In the Savar, Ashulia, and Zirani areas, 407 factories are open, while 27 remain shut.

BGMEA also reported that 209 factories are operational in Narayanganj, 302 in DMP areas, and 350 in Chattogram, with no closures reported in these regions.

M Asaduzzaman Saad, our Gazipur correspondent, and Jasim Uddin, special correspondent from Dhaka, contributed to the news.