Textile workers take to streets for 8 months’ arrears in Barishal
Workers of a textile mill demonstrated in Barishal city yesterday, demanding due salaries and arrears of eight months.
Around 700 workers of Sonargaon Textile Limited brought out a procession and staged a rally at its gate in Rupatli from 11am to 12 noon. At that time, they attempted to block the Dhaka-Patuakhali highway but did not upon request from the district administration.
Later in the day, law enforcers, district administration and the factory authorities held a meeting with the workers when the factory owner took a decision to reopen it by paying the arrears within January 31, confirmed Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Munibur Rahaman.
Worker Bellal Gazi said the factory's production has been halted since March 28 last year. "When we blocked Dhaka-Patuakhali highway on November 16, authorities wanted to reopen two units that month and the rest one in December after paying due salaries, but to no avail," he said.
Another worker Nurul Haque said such a closure pushed them into severe financial crisis.
Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal expressed solidarity with the protesters. BSD Barishal unit member secretary Manisha Chakraborty claimed that the owner is going to shut down the factory totally without payment.
However, Md Salauddin, project manager and spokesperson of Sonargaon Textile, assured of resolving the crisis by reopening the factory.
He said they have been unable to reopen the factory for such a long time due to loss.
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