Gazipur RMG factory announces indefinite closure after workers' protest
Authorities of a garment factory in Gazipur's Gachha area have announced an indefinite closure following workers' protest demanding arrears.
Workers this morning took up position in front of the factory to protest the closure.
In a notice issued yesterday, the authorities of TRZ Garments Industry Limited said its workers went on an "illegal strike" and carried out vandalism inside the factory, damaging property.
In this situation, it is not possible to continue operations, said the notice signed by TRZ Garments Industry Limited's deputy general manager (HR and Compliance).
Around 10:00am today, a worker named Jasim and others told The Daily Star that they took position in front of the factory protesting the factory closure.
Gazipur Industrial Police Inspector Zahirul Haque said the workers have been protesting at different points in Gachha area.
Meanwhile, two buses with a section of workers went to BGMEA office in Dhaka to discuss the matter, the police official said.
Yesterday, 4,500 workers of the factory took to the streets near the Gachha Bus Stand from 8:00am demanding arrears.
Contacted, Bachchu Mia, admin manager of TRZ factory, told The Daily Star yesterday that an emergency meeting was underway in this regard. More details would be announced later, he said.
On Saturday, the workers alleged that the authorities kept them waiting in front of the factory the whole day, saying they would pay the salaries. In the evening, the officials locked the main gate of the factory without any payment, they said.
Sabuj Mia and Ruma, workers of the garment factory, said yesterday that their salaries were pending since mid July.
The workers also said that some police personnel arrived near the factory around 9:00am when they were protesting. Hundreds arrived an hour later. The workers lamented that on the one hand, the authorities did not want to pay their dues, while on the other the police wanted to stop their protest.
"We have accumulated dues of three months," said a factory official preferring anonymity.