Tusuka Group announces 3-day closure at 6 factories amid worker protests in Gazipur

Tusuka Group has declared a three-day general holiday at six of its readymade garment factories in Konabari area of Gazipur City following ongoing worker protests.

The holiday, effective from today (21 April) to Wednesday (23 April), was announced through a notice posted at the main gate of the factories yesterday (20 April) afternoon.

The affected factories are Tusuka Jeans Limited, Tusuka Trousers Limited, Tusuka Denim Limited, Tusuka Processing Limited, Tusuka Washing Limited, and Tusuka Packaging Limited.

"It is being informed for the attention of all officers, employees, and workers of the aforementioned institutions that all activities of the factories will remain closed for three days as general holidays from Monday (21 April) to Wednesday (23 April) due to the lack of a proper working environment inside the factories," the notice said.

According to sources, workers had abstained from work and protested for several hours on Saturday (19 April), raising various demands.

The demonstration ended after the factory declared a holiday for the day. Later that afternoon, the factory authorities reportedly accepted the workers' demands and issued a notice to that effect.

Despite this, workers resumed protests upon returning to the factory premises yesterday instead of joining work. Following their departure later that afternoon, the management announced the three-day closure.

Among the demands raised by the workers are: full implementation of the BGMEA-based salary grading structure, no general leave deductions during Eid holidays, annual picnic arrangements, an end to favouritism, holiday pay aligned with employees' joining dates, clearing of outstanding dues within the current month, and a halt to worker layoffs.

Md Tareq Hasan, director of Tusuka Group, said, "After the workers observed the programme on Saturday, a notice accepting their demands was given that same afternoon. Still, they are continuing the movement. Outsiders are instigating this. To keep the situation normal, the institution has been given a three-day holiday."

Gazipur Industrial Police-2 Superintendent AKM Zahirul Islam said, "Despite accepting all the demands of the workers, the owners have announced a three-day holiday as the workers have not calmed down. We are stationed in the factory area and monitoring the situation. Hopefully, the workers will consider everything and join work after the holiday."