RMG workers block road in Ashulia demanding arrears

Workers of a ready-made garment factory have been demonstrating by blocking a regional road in Savar's Ashulia demanding arrears.

Hundreds of workers of Ssain Apparels Limited blocked Bishmail-Jirabo road in Amtala area since 8:00am, halting traffic movement on the road.

They are continuing their protest till filing of this report around 2:45pm.

The demonstrating workers alleged that they were supposed to get their salary for the month of January in the first week of February. As they were not paid, they started protest on February 9.

Following the workers' unrest, the authorities declared a general holiday from February 10 to 13. Later, on February 13, another general holiday notice was hung at the factory gate declaring February 15 to 20 as general holiday.

Today, the workers started the protest by blocking the road in front of the factory, demanding arrears and reopen of the factory.

Factory worker Shahidul said, "Instead of paying the salary, the factory has been declared shut in two phases. We demand that the factory be opened. At the same time, we demand that the outstanding salary be paid.

Rafiqul Islam, president of Bangladesh Garments and Shilpa Shramik Federation, said the factory had been facing problems with salary payment since August 5 last year. The factory authorities filed a case against the workers over their protest.

Later, the workers returned to work when the authorities assured them that the case would be withdrawn. However, the authorities did not withdraw the case or pay the salary for January, he added."

Md Tarequl Islam, director of the factory's marketing and merchandising unit, said, "Currently, we are not getting any bank facilities....There are 1,800 workers in our factory. The owner is trying his best to run the factory. But since February 8 the workers stopped operation, the shipment got halted. If the shipment is not sent on time, it will be cancelled. In this case, it will become even more difficult to pay the salary."

Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, superintendent of Ashulia Industrial Police-1, said that a team of the industrial police are on the spot. "We are trying to contact the factory owner, but it's not possible to communicate with him as he is currently abroad," he said."

"We have also informed the BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association). The workers said they will not leave the road unless they get assurance from the owner or BGMEA," he added.