Ctg garment workers block road over alleged factory sale, demand 4 months' dues

Garment workers of 'Ityadi Garments' in the Hamjarbag area of Chattogram blocked a road today (19 August) over reports that the factory had been sold, fearing job losses and demanding 120 days' wages and other dues under labour law.

The workers have been demonstrating on the Hamjarbag-Muradpur-Oxygen road since 11am, disrupting traffic on the busy route and causing suffering to commuters.

Bayezid Bostami Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Abdul Karim told The Business Standard that the workers took to the streets fearing termination following reports that the factory had been sold. They are also demanding 120 days' (4 months') wages under labour law.

He said the owner later told the workers that the factory would not be sold and that he would operate it himself. Additional police have been deployed at the scene to control the situation.

Workers alleged that their salaries, bonuses and other dues have not been fully paid for a long time. Many of them have worked at the factory for between five and 20 years.

One protesting worker said many workers had not received their due salaries and bonuses, while pregnant women workers had also not received payments for various benefits. The worker alleged that the owner was now trying to close the factory and leave.

"Our only demand is that we be paid the 120 days' dues. If this money is paid, we will have no further demands. Whether the factory is sold or not, we will not work there anymore. We will leave after receiving our dues," the worker said.

Another worker said the decision to sell the factory had been taken without informing them.

Photo: TBS

"We worked for money. If we do not get our money, how will we survive? We have families to support," the worker said.

Workers alleged that the owner had repeatedly changed his position, sometimes saying the factory had been sold and at other times saying he would continue to operate it.

They said they had been protesting inside the factory for the past eight days but took to the streets after failing to reach a solution.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police Additional Deputy Commissioner Sohel Parvez visited the scene and asked the workers to form a 10 to 15-member delegation to discuss their demands with the owner and factory management. He said police would accompany the delegation if necessary.

He also urged them to end the road blockade, saying discussions could not be held on the road and commuters were suffering.

However, the workers have not yet left the road and said they would continue protesting until a specific decision was reached on payment of their dues.

Traffic on the Hamjarbag-Muradpur-Oxygen road remains disrupted, with additional police deployed at the scene.

The factory owner or management could not be reached for comment immediately.