Stop termination, pay arrears and bonuses

Readymade garment (RMG) workers in Ashulia yesterday demanded that the authorities stop termination and pay arrears and festival bonuses by 20th of Ramadan.

Under the banner of at least 11 workers’ organisations, around 300 workers from seven to eight factories and about 20 of their leaders placed the demands during a press conference at Ashulia Press Club in Savar.

The speakers said the authorities of the factories started terminating their workers ahead of Eid. It must stop, they said.

They demanded reinstatement of the sacked workers.

Mohammad Khalil, a worker of sweater factory, told The Daily Star that he and his co-workers were served show cause notices last week, asking for explanation over unrest in the factory. “All we did was raise demand for timely payment of salary.”

Such a notice is actually meant for termination, said Khalil, adding all types of payment will remain pending until the show cause notice is disposed of.

“What will I do during Eid? I am the only earning member of my family,” he said.

Similarly, Lima Akter, worker of another factory, said she is suffering the same fate as she demanded arrears. “Our demand is logical. I want my job back.”

The authorities of the factories could not be contacted over phone despite repeated attempts.

Rafiqul Islam Sujon, president of Bangladesh Garments and Shilpa Sramik Federation, told the press conference that more than 500 workers were terminated from several factories in Ashulia in the last 15 days.

Similar situation is prevailing in all 500 factories in Ashulia, said Rafiqul. “The workers must be reinstated,” he said. 

Sarowar Hossain, president of Bangladesh Textile and Garment Workers League (Ashulia unit), said the authorities issue more show cause notices to workers before Eid to evade bonuses.

The organisations at the press conference included Bangladesh Garments Sramik Oikya Forum, Garments Sramik Karmachari Federation, Jago Bangladesh Garments Sramik Federation and Biplobi Sramik Federation.