33 RMG factories shut amid workers' unrest

Some 33 ready-made garment (RMG) factories in and around Dhaka halted operations today (3 November) as workers continued protests to press home their demands ranging from pay increases, bonuses, and improved benefits, according to industrial police and industry insiders.

Tusuka Group closed six of its RMG factories in Gazipur indefinitely after workers staged a demonstration demanding a 16-point charter, including pay raises and increased bonuses.

The company put up notices announcing the closure on the front gates of all six export-oriented factories in the Konabari area, Md Abu Taleb, senior assistant superintendent of police of Gazipur Industrial Police-2 Konabari Zone, told TBS.

The factories are the company's manufacturing units Tusuka Jeans Limited, Tusuka Trousers Limited and Tusuka Denim Limited, laundry units Tusuka Processing Limited and Tusuka Washing Limited, and its packaging unit Tusuka Packaging Limited.

Taleb also said authorities of 21 other RMG factories in the district declared a holiday in the face of workers' demonstration.

Besides, authorities of two other factories at Savar, one at Ashulia and another at Mirpur in the capital declared closure of their units for an indefinite period under Section 13 (1) of Bangladesh Labour Law-2006 (no work, no pay), according to industrial police.

Also, authorities of Ashulia's Anjuman Designers Ltd and Mirpur's Wear Mag Ltd declared a holiday today.

ASP Taleb said, "Tusuka Group workers have placed 16-point demands, including a 10% annual pay hike, attendance bonuses, maternity leave, and certain religious holidays.

"The management agreed to meet some of their demands but the workers remained resolute in insisting that all their demands be fulfilled." 

Tusuka Jeans Limited authorities claimed workers, after clocking in, left the factory and gathered outside the main gate, causing disruption. Despite multiple appeals from management and law enforcers to return to their duties, the workers continued to stage demonstrations.

The general manager of the factory, Masum Hossain, said, "We had information that there was a plan to attack some factories today. Therefore, to ensure the safety of staff and factory assets the factories have been closed for an indefinite period."

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Tusuka Group official told TBS that they are working to reopen the factories as soon as possible as they have to pay the workers' last month's salary by 7 November.