RMG workers of 3 Ashulia factories leave work demanding 15% annual increment, Tk25,000 minimum wage

At least three readymade garment (RMG) factories in Ashulia have announced general holidays as workers stopped working over various demands, including a 15% annual increment and a minimum wage of Tk25,000. 

"Workers at the New Age, Al Muslim, and Nasar factories stopped working in the morning and left the factories around 11am over several demands," an officer from the Ashulia Industrial Police, unwilling to be named, told The Business Standard. 

"The authorities of these three factories later declared a holiday. A similar holiday was also declared in another factory yesterday [8 December] due to a work stoppage due to the same demands," he added. 

Khairul Mamun Mintu, legal secretary of the Bangladesh Garments and Sweater Workers Trade Union Center, said workers in several factories have been on strike since yesterday over demands, including an increment. 

"These demands arose due to the non-implementation of the 18-point agreement reached in the tripartite meeting with the government. These demands include increases in night shift allowances and attendance bonuses," he explained.

Khairul said such work stoppages are unexpected given that the Reform Commission and the committee formed for wage re-evaluation are working on these issues, and meetings are being held.  

"However, I believe the increments and wage re-evaluation issue should be resolved by December. Otherwise, there is a risk of dissatisfaction spreading again from January onwards," he added.

Despite multiple attempts, Md Sarwar Alam, the superintendent of Industrial Police-1, could not be reached for a comment on the matter. 

According to sources from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), seven factories in the Ashulia area are either closed, have sent workers on paid leave, or had workers stopping work.

Among the factories affected are NASA Super Garments Limited, NASA Basic Limited, AJ Super Garments Limited, Al Muslim Apparels, and Trouser Line Limited.

Sources indicate that the work stoppage by workers has led to a suspension of production at these factories.