Two RMG factories in Ashulia shut down

Two RMG factories were shut down for indefinite period yesterday, following an ongoing protest over dismissal of 58 workers.

Workers alleged that Eske Clothing Ltd and Naba Knit Composite Ltd in Ashulia industrial belt area sacked 28 and 30 workers respectively on August 29, without any valid reason.

They said authorities sacked the workers, mentioning not enough work at the factories. The same day, Naba Knit also banned use of mobile phones at work.

Workers have been protesting the decisions since.

Some of them also alleged that they were beaten by miscreants hired by the authorities of Eske Clothing on September 1. At least five workers, most of them women, sustained injuries.

Contacted, Adam Ali, manager (HR and compliance) of Naba Knit, said they dismissed the workers after clearing dues as per rules. “Use of mobile phone hinders work, that’s why we banned it,” he added.

About the ongoing protest, he said, “We tried our best so that workers resume work but they continued to demonstrate inside the factory. In this situation, we decided to close the factory indefinitely.”

Nazrul Islam, assistant general manager of Sidco group under which Eske Clothing operates, said they repeatedly asked the workers to go back to work but to no avail. “Having no other option, we had to shut down the factory,” he added.

He also said workers were sacked after clearing their dues. “We had to let them go as we did not have enough work for them.”

Asked about the allegation that some workers were beaten up, Nazrul said it was not true. “While protesting, they threw a flower pot at me, which hit my forehead,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, workers demanded that sacked fellows be reinstated and authorities ensure a safe environment for them.

Sarwer Hossain, a worker leader in Ashulia, hoped that authorities will accept the demands and open the factories soon. “Authorities sacked the workers without any valid reasoning. Such layoffs and shutting the factories will not solve anything,” he said.

Contacted, Sana Saminur Rahman, superintendent of industrial police (Dhaka-1), told The Daily Star that the protest was hampering work environment for the past few days, although the authorities discharged the workers after paying their salaries.

“As they are yet to resolve the issue, owners shut down the factories for  now,” he said. Additional police have been deployed in the area, the SP said.

Some 2,000 people work in the two factories, according to officials.