3 more factories in Gazipur shut down amid RMG workers' unrest over salaries, Eid bonus
The factories that have been closed are Swadhin Garments, Swadhin Dyeing and Swadhin Printing
Three more factories of Alif Group have been announced closed amid protests by readymade garment workers over annual leave, the Eid-ul-Fitr bonus, and half of this month's salary in the Jarun area at Konabari in Gazipur city.
Arriving at the factory gates this morning (20 March), workers found the closure notice, which led them to stage a sit-in in front of the main gate.
According to workers, the factory workers have been demanding these payments for the past few days. The factory authorities closed down the factories for an indefinite period without responding to their demands.
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The factories that have been closed are Swadhin Garments, Swadhin Dyeing and Swadhin Printing.
"While workers of other factories are busy doing Eid shopping, we are making rounds to get our money," said an aggrieved worker.
The factory closure notice said all the activities of the three factories will remain suspended for an indefinite period from Thursday (20 March) under 'No work, no pay' following Section 13(1) of Bangladesh Labour Act 2006.
"The workers of these factories organised themselves and continued a strike from Monday (17 March) to Thursday, causing extensive damage to the factories. As productions at the factories cannot go on in this situation, the factory authorities are suspending the factory activities for an indefinite period," the notice added.
However, the factory authorities could not be reached for comments.
Contacted, Officer-in-Charge of Konabari Police Station Md Nazrul Islam said, "The workers had been demanding their dues for a couple of days. The factory authorities have suddenly suspended work without resolving the issues. Aggrieved by this, the workers are currently protesting at the entrance and inside of their factories."
