Garment workers in Ashulia threaten to surround Labor Ministry over unpaid wages and benefits
Photo Collected
ASHULIA, Bangladesh — Garment workers from two factories staged protests and rallies in Savar’s Ashulia industrial zone on Tuesday, demanding the payment of long-standing wage arrears. During the demonstrations, organized by the National Garment Workers Unity, protesters issued an ultimatum to authorities, threatening to lay siege to the Ministry of Labour if their financial demands are not met within 72 hours.
The protest began at approximately 10:00 a.m. as employees from Ingenitex BD Limited and Ingenitex Active Limited gathered at the Bogabari bus stand. The workers marched to the Baipail area to hold a rally before returning to the Bogabari bus stand to conclude the demonstration.
Workers stated that the dispute began during the Eid holidays in March, when management promised to settle outstanding wages and bonuses. According to the employees, the factories were subsequently shuttered in April after multiple extensions of the holiday period. While authorities previously facilitated the payment of bonuses and 25 percent of a single month’s salary, the workers claim that the remainder of their wages, service benefits, and other contractual entitlements remain unpaid. Furthermore, members of the factory staff report that they are owed between five and six months of unpaid salaries.
Faridul Islam, president of the central committee of the National Garment Workers Unity, alleged that although two separate agreements were reached between the factory management and the workers regarding settlements, the majority of the staff remain unpaid. Islam noted that out of a workforce of more than 2,000, only approximately 120 employees have received their dues, while payments for the rest of the workforce have been suspended indefinitely.
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