RMG workers protest in Savar demanding arrears, Eid bonus

Workers of a readymade garment factory in Savar demonstrated for five hours today by blocking roads, demanding arrears and Eid bonus.

Witnesses said around 700 workers of Basundhara Garments Limited, located in Hemayetpur area of ​​Savar started their protest by blocking the Hemayetpur-Singair regional road around 3:00pm. The blockade stopped traffic movement on both sides of the road.

The protesting workers said on May 17, the authorities in a notice announced the factory lay-off from May 18 to May 31. They also declared to pay workers' unpaid wages for April month on May 25.

When the workers came to the factory to collect their wages in the afternoon, neither the owners nor the officials had come to the factory. Later, the workers blocked the road and started protest after not receiving their arears.

A swing operator of the factory, who did not want to be named, told The Daily Star, "Today we are supposed to be paid our April month's salaries. We came to the factory before 3:00pm, but as we arrived at the factory gate, we saw that the owner or officials were not there. So, we took to the streets."

The worker also said in addition to the April's salary, they should be paid half of their current month's salary and the Eid bonus before Eid.

Nazrul Islam, organising secretary of the Bangladesh Garments Workers Oikya Federation, told this correspondent that there are more than 800 workers in the factory. The workers have not yet received their April salaries. In addition, the owner has declared the factory lay off.

Kabir Hossain, secretary of National Garments Workers Federation (Savar thana unit), told The Daily Star over the phone that the owner arrived at the scene after workers started protest.

The workers left around 8:00pm after being assured that their dues would be paid on May 29 in presence of army, police, and labour leaders.