Workers of 3 RMG factories protest in Gazipur

Workers from three ready-made garment (RMG) factories in Gazipur's Tin Sarak and Kashimpur areas staged protests yesterday morning over various demands, with one factory declaring an indefinite closure.

In Kashimpur's Surabari area, workers of Mark Sweater Limited had been protesting inside the factory for several days over multiple demands, including payment of due wages and increased piece rates.

Today, when they arrived at the factory, they found a notice announcing its indefinite shutdown. Upon seeing the closure notice, workers became agitated and began protesting. 

According to the workers, the management was expected to respond to the demands with a revised rate announcement yesterday, but instead issued the closure notice. During their protest, the workers demanded reopening of the factory.

The notice, posted by factory management, cited an "illegal strike" and an "unstable situation" as reasons for the closure, invoking Section 10(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, according to workers and police.

"All officers, staff, and workers of Mark Sweater Limited are hereby informed that due to the ongoing illegal strike and unstable situation, the factory is declared closed indefinitely from Sunday, 11 May for overall safety concerns," the notice read. 

"Security guards and administrative personnel are exempt from this notice. When favourable conditions for reopening the factory are established, the reopening date will be announced through a notice," it added. 

Md Moniruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Gazipur Metropolitan Police's (GMP) Kashimpur Police Station, said, "Workers had been protesting for several days with demands including increased work rates and the removal of an officer. For this reason, the authorities declared the factory closed indefinitely. This is why workers protested in front of the factory in the morning. However, the situation remains calm."

Meanwhile, in Gazipur's Tin Sarak area, laid-off workers from two factories under the same ownership – Style Craft Limited and Young Ones BD – held a demonstration demanding payment of 14 months of unpaid wages and dues.

According to police and workers, management laid off several employees from both factories in 2023 following labour unrest. 

Some of these workers received Tk20,000 during the last Eid, with the remaining dues promised by 7 May. However, after waiting several days without payment, workers gathered at the factory gate, where a heated exchange occurred between them and factory authorities.

The workers then moved to the Gazipur Metropolitan Police premises to continue their protest and press their demands.

AKM Zahirul Islam, superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police-2, said, "The laid-off workers from these two factories are demanding their due wages. They are entitled to receive them. Police are on the ground to ensure the situation remains peaceful."