'March to Jamuna': TNZ Group workers block Kakrail demanding dues
Till now, the workers claim they are owed Tk54 crore. Though they were assured of receiving Tk3 crore in dues before Eid-ul-Fitr, they were reportedly given Tk2.67 crore
At least 500 workers of eight TNZ Group companies, located in Gazipur, have blocked the Kakrail Mosque intersection in the capital, demanding their due salaries and other payments.
In a fresh wave of protests, they began their programme "March to Jamuna" earlier today and positioned themselves at Kakrail at around 3pm.
Police then obstructed the workers' procession, which was heading from the Shrom Bhaban area toward the chief adviser's residence State Guest House Jamuna, as public gatherings around the area have been banned, said Assistant Commissioner of the Ramna police division Abdullah Al Mamun.
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"We are communicating with the protesters, trying to help them understand the situation," he added.
The protesters demanded clearing all dues to the workers and staff upon reaching a tripartite agreement.
Contacted, Administrator of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Anwar Hossain told The Business Standard that a tripartite meeting was underway this afternoon.
The meeting, comprising representatives of the TNZ Group workers, the BGMEA and labour ministry, was convened to resolve the crisis.
"We are dealing with a very complex issue as the [TNZ Group] owners fled the country. The workers are owed some Tk54 crore. Initiatives are being taken to sell the owners' house and washing plants so that dues of the workers could be paid."
Since 11 May, TNZ Group workers have been protesting in front of the Shrom Bhaban demanding all dues, including due salary, Eid bonus, service benefits among others.
Garment worker Nasima Akhter said she worked as an operator in a TNZ Group factory for four years and that she has yet to receive three months' salary.
Shahidul Islam, president of the workers' movement, said they have been protesting in front of the Shrom Bhaban for nine days now.
"We have spoken to various departments, including the [labour] adviser. They gave us assurances but could not pay the pending salaries. That's why we were forced to march to Jamuna. We will not leave the streets unless we get our dues."
Till now, the workers are owed Tk54 crore. Though they were assured of receiving Tk3 crore in dues before Eid-ul-Fitr, they were reportedly given Tk2.67 crore.
According to sources, each worker reportedly received Tk9,100. The remaining amount was supposed to be paid by April, but they claimed they have yet to receive the money.
Demand of arrears leading up to Eid-ul-Fitr
The previous protests were held ahead of Eid-ul-fitr when TNZ Group workers demanded full payment of their outstanding wages and Eid bonuses.
In late March, they had rejected the company's offer to pay them Tk3 crore in dues before Eid, and instead insisted on full payment of all outstanding payments amounting to over Tk17 crore.
At the time, a group of garment workers continued their demonstration in front of Shrom Bhaban.
TNZ Group owes a total of Tk17.13 crore to over 3,000 workers across its three readymade garment factories.
In November last year, the government allocated Tk16 crore to earlier dues of workers.
Labour Secretary Shafiquzzaman earlier said about 12 garment factories, including TNZ Group, Style Craft Group, Mahmud Group, Roar Fashion, Basic, and Ssain Apparels, are facing difficulties in paying workers' wages and Eid-ul-Fitr bonuses.
He said most crisis-hit factories have resolved their payment issues following extensive efforts by the government, law enforcement agencies as well as BGMEA.
"After continuous efforts, we have managed to secure funds for most factories," he said.
However, TNZ Group remains an exception, as its owner is currently abroad, and its top management has failed to secure funds for worker payments. As a result, the company is now being forced to sell machinery to raise Tk3 crore.
In a bid to ease the financial strain on the sector, the government released Tk2,250 crore from exporters' cash incentive claims this year, a significant increase from Tk700 crore last year.
Meanwhile, the Industrial Police reported that almost all factories under the country's four major trade bodies have cleared wages and allowances.
However, factories such as TNZ Group, Mahmud Group, and Style Craft Group continue to face challenges, with the ministry and trade bodies actively working to resolve these issues.
