RMG workers block road in Savar for 4 hrs demanding dues

Vehicular movement on Hemayetpur-Manikganj-Singair road in Savar remained suspended for four hours today (13 November) as workers of four garment factories blocked the road demanding payment of their dues.

Several thousand workers of four factories of AJI Group industrial park, owned by film actor Ananta Jalil, started demonstration near the factory in the morning and suspended production.

Meanwhile, they reportedly beat up several officials of the factory and carried out vandalism inside it.

Amid unrest, Ananta Jalil also reached the factory and assured the workers to pay their dues by the day. The workers then left the road.

AJI Group Chairman Ananta Jalil told The Business Standard, "The salaries of the AB group employees have already been disbursed. Regarding the AJI group, there was a slight delay in payment approval for a shipment, so we informed the workers that their salaries would be paid on the 14th of this month. However, the workers were dissatisfied and demanded immediate payment. 

"Yesterday, they were assured that they would receive their salaries today. Despite this, some workers staged a protest in the morning. After personally visiting the spot and addressing their concerns, the situation was resolved."

The businessman explained, "While a portion of the workers engaged in the protest, the majority were willing to work and even entered the factory premises. Unfortunately, a specific group instigated the situation by inciting others to join the protest."

Referring to the recent labour protests in various regions, including Gazipur, the businessman expressed concern, stating, "This is a family-run business that has been operating for 28 years. We have never faced such issues before, and our factory has always maintained a peaceful work environment. It's increasingly difficult to conduct business in this current climate."

Two workers from the group told TBS that the owner had informed them on the previous day about a delay in October's salary payment, citing some difficulties. 

They said the workers were initially told that the salaries would be disbursed on the 14th. However, after further discussions, they were assured that the payment would be made today. Despite this assurance, the workers gathered in front of the factory and blocked the road in the morning.

When questioned about the reason for the protest, the workers explained that some employees might not have fully understood the owner's initial announcement.

Mo Sarwar Alam, superintendent of police at Industrial Police-1, said the workers had blocked road demanding their due salaries. 

"The situation was resolved after the owner arrived and assured them to pay the salaries today. The workers then cleared the road," he added.