RMG workers stage protest, block road demanding wages in Ctg EPZ
CEPZ Executive Director Abdus Sobahan confirmed the incident and said a factory named JMS Garments Limited suspended its production in February due to a lack of orders
Workers of a ready-garment (RMG) factory at the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) are staging a demonstration demanding their due wages since this morning (22 March).
At one point, the protesting workers blocked the Airport Road at the CEPZ gate around 10:30am to press their demands.
CEPZ Executive Director Abdus Sobahan confirmed the incident and said a factory named JMS Garments Limited suspended its production in February due to a lack of orders.
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"The owner paid the January wages in the middle of February and committed to paying the February wages by 27 March. However, the workers are demanding their wages by 25 March," he added.
"The workers approached us, and we discussed the issue with the factory owners. The owners assured us that they are trying their best to pay the wages by the workers' demanded date. Despite this, the workers blocked the road at the CEPZ gate around 10:30am," said the CEPZ executive director.
Mohammad Jashim Uddin, additional superintendent of Chattogram Industrial Police, told The Business Standard at 12:15pm that the workers of JMS Garments Factory were still protesting and blocking the road, causing severe traffic congestion on the Airport Road.
"High-ranking officials from the Chattogram Metropolitan Police and Industrial Police have arrived at the scene and are trying to convince the workers to clear the road," he added.
Meanwhile, an intelligence report from the Industrial Police identified 44 garment factories in Chattogram where labour unrest might occur over the payment of wages and bonuses ahead of Eid.
