RMG workers of 29 factories boycott work demanding higher increment

RMG workers are continuing their protest against the 4% rise in annual increment declared by the government and demanding a 15% rise instead.

Workers of 25 factories continued their boycott today (12 December) as well.

Amid protests for higher pay, the government on Monday (9 December) decided to add a 4% increase to the regular annual increment of 5% for readymade garment (RMG) workers. With the new announcement the RMG workers are now privy to a 9% raise annually.

According to industrial police, although the workers are waging a movement to increase their increment, they are not creating any anarchy except abstaining from work.

Meanwhile, police said they are working to improve the situation by holding discussions with all parties.

According to BGMEA sources, production has been halted at a total of 29 factories in Ashulia.

Among the factories, eight factories have been closed following Section 13(1) of Bangladesh Labour Law, eight others are following Leave with Pay rule and workers of 13 factories have left without working after arriving at the factories in the morning.  

RMG workers to get 4% additional increment from December

Among the factories where production has been halted are Nassa Group, Trouser Line and Al Muslim, while New Age Apparels was among the factories where general holiday was declared.

Talking to The Business Standard, aggrieved workers said although they have many demands, the primary one among them is a 15% rise in increments.

"Workers don't know whether there will be any work unless they come to the factory. Workers get an idea what is happening at nearby factories after coming to work. When they get the news that other factories are halting their productions, the workers also abstain from work at their own factories," said a worker when asked about why they are coming to the factories despite observing work abstention.

Another worker, who did not support the movement, said, "I don't think there is any reason to wage the movement in such condition of the country while getting a 9% increment. Whatever is happening now is damaging the industry. I'm worried about the future."

Contacted, Superintendent of Industrial Police-1 Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan said, "A total of 13 factories have halted their production today, among which 10 factories have declared general holiday. The number of factories halting production yesterday [11 December] were 11."