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

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Photo: TBS