Workers block road in Ashulia demanding unpaid wages

Workers of a garment factory blocked a road in the Kathgora Amtala area of Ashulia, Dhaka, demanding payment of their outstanding wages for January.

More than a hundred workers of Ssain Apparels Limited gathered at Amtala intersection on the Kathgora-Bishmail road around 8:30am today (16 February). 

An assistant superintendent of the Industrial Police, requesting anonymity, told The Business Standard, "Workers have blocked the road demanding their unpaid wages. The issue is that we are unable to contact the factory management as their phone numbers are switched off. We are trying to resolve the issue."

He further added, "From what I have learned, the factory management is unable to pay wages due to banking complications. The company's funds deposited at the bank are being adjusted against their loans, preventing them from paying the workers."

The aggrieved workers said despite multiple assurances, the factory management has yet to pay their salaries for January. 

Moreover, without any significant reason, the factory has been closed since 9 February, declaring a general holiday. This has created uncertainty among workers regarding their pending wages.

Jasmine, a female factory worker, told The Business Standard, "On 9 February, the factory management announced a general holiday until 13 February without paying our salaries. We were supposed to receive our wages on the 13th, but that did not happen. Later, on 15 February, another notice was issued extending the general holiday until 20 February."

"We demand immediate payment of our wages and the reopening of the factory. Otherwise, no worker will leave the road," she added.

She further mentioned that around 1,700 workers are employed in the factory.

Despite multiple attempts to contact Mozammel Hossain, managing director of the factory, he could not be reached for comment.

As of 10:45am, when filing this report, the workers were still blocking the road.