Tuba workers warn of hartal if salaries not paid by tomorrow

Police resist demonstrating workers of Tuba Group in front of the building of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association at Karwan Bazar in the capital on Tuesday. The workers go to lay siege to the BGMEA building demanding three-month salaries and Eid bonus. Photo: Akram Hosen

The agitating garment workers of Tuba Group today threatened of resorting to tougher programmes like hartal (shutdown) or blockades if all their dues are not paid by tomorrow.

"We will be compelled to announce programmes like hartal or blockade day after tomorrow if our due salaries of three months and bonuses are not paid in full by tomorrow," said Zahirul Islam, president of Bangladesh Workers Federation.

He made the announcement in front Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Bhaban at Karwan Bazar in Dhaka where several hundred workers of Tuba Group who were agitating for their dues.

Earlier in the morning, police charged batons on the demonstrating workers when they tried to lay siege to the BGMEA headquarters in the capital.

In face of the police resistance, the workers held a rally blocking the BGMEA entrance. They left the area after two hours, around 1:30pm.

A majority of 1,600 workers from five Tuba factories have been on hunger strike since July 28, a day before Eid-ul-Fitr, for three months' arrears and festival bonus.

On Sunday, the garment makers' association in a statement asked the workers to receive two months' salaries from its office on Wednesday (tomorrow), and said the Tuba Group would pay Eid bonus and the rest of the salaries later.

But the workers did not accept the offer.