Garment workers demand cash for lunch

Workers of Nadia Garments yesterday demonstrated in Dhaka, demanding an allowance for lunch.
Workers said they began protests in the morning in front of Nadia Garments Ltd, a unit of Envoy Group, in New Eskaton area to go to the group's head office in Khilgaon to place their demands.
The workers of Nadia Garments persuaded workers from three other factories in the area to join the protests. But, when the workers reached Kakrail, the police dispersed them by charging batons.
Workers said management is unwilling to pay for their lunch bills, although they agreed on three demands including the lunch bill.
A worker, Hadiur Rahman, said they have been demanding the allowance for the last few days.
The management agreed to increase the tiffin bill to Tk 16 a person from Tk 12, attendance bonus to Tk 500 from Tk 200 and night allowances to Tk 35 from Tk 30.
“If the management meets our demands, we will join work. Otherwise we will continue to demonstrate,” a female worker said.
Mashiur Rahman, an inspector of Raman Police Station, said six workers were picked up in the incident and were later released.
Abdus Salam Murshedy, one of the owners of Envoy Group, and former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, did not return repeated phone calls.