RMG workers get paid two years after factory’s closure

Workers of Chattogram-based factory Base Textile Limited, which had shut down two years ago, have finally received their overdue wages.

A total of 873 affected workers were paid after the Bangladesh Free Garment Workers Union Federation (BIGOF) secured Tk3.78 crore from a USA-based buyer to compensate the labourers, said the organisation's President Chandan Kumar Dey.

He disclosed that a 20% commission was deducted for each settlement.

"Our organisation operates on workers' contributions. We typically deduct 10% from settlements, but given the two years of effort we invested, we deducted 20% this time," he said.

However, the workers have welcomed the initiative with extreme joy.

"I never thought I'd receive this money. After two years, I've finally received Tk 24,000 in dues. However, 20% of the amount was deducted," said Selina Akhter, one of the workers who got paid.

The payments were distributed on Wednesday and Thursday at the Din Mohammad Community Center near the BIGOF office in the Pathantuli area in Chattogram.

Dey stated that another distribution programme would be arranged in 30 days to pay any workers who have been initially left out. The remaining funds, if any, will be returned to the buyers.

The distribution was organised without any involvement of the BGMEA and the Department of Labour, which raised some eyebrows.

When asked about their independent approach, Dey said, "We worked directly with the buyer company. While we should have informed the labour department, it wasn't possible in this instance."

Syed Nazrul Islam, former first vice president of BGMEA, said, "The workers protested while I was in office. Although we initiated efforts to resolve the issue, they remained incomplete. It is good to see the workers finally receiving their dues, though questions about the exact number of beneficiaries remain."

Base Textile Limited began operations in 1998 in Mohra, Kalurghat, employing 2,870 workers. The factory closed in 2022 after failing to pay workers' salaries and bonuses for a long time.

Following the closure, the factory's owner reportedly left the country, leaving workers unpaid.