1,700 workers continue fourth day of sit-in strike at CEPZ garment factory over unpaid wages

Around 1,700 workers at Modist CEPZ Limited, a garment factory under the JMS Group located inside the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ), continued their sit-in strike for the fourth day today (23 June), demanding payment of their wages for May.

The strike resumed at 8:30am, as workers entered the factory premises but refrained from joining production activities.

Instead, they continued their protest inside the factory, halting all operations as they had during previous strikes on 19, 21, and 22 June.

Despite promises from the factory management to clear the dues by 22 June, workers claim the payments have not been made.

Although the authorities said the wages would be cleared today, the workers have refused to resume work until they are fully paid.

To prevent any untoward incidents, security has been tightened in the area. Industrial police, BEPZA security personnel, and army patrols have been deployed around the factory premises.

Confirming the situation, CEPZ Executive Director Abdus Sobhan told The Business Standard, "The factory owners have informed us that the outstanding wages will be paid today. However, the workers have decided not to return to work until the wages for May are fully paid."

He added that the factory has been struggling with declining orders and reduced production over the past three to four months, which has led to delays in wage payments.

Another factory under the same group has already laid off its workers and is now closed, and if the crisis continues, this one may also face the same outcome.

The ongoing unrest at Modist CEPZ reflects growing concerns over wage insecurity in the garment sector, particularly during periods of reduced global demand and operational downturns.