Mass procession of thousands of workers echoing with slogans

Demanding payment of arrears, Eid bonus and other dues, workers and employees of TNZ Group held a massive mass procession in Dhaka today as well. Starting from the premises of the Shram Bhaban at 11 am, the procession paraded through GPO and Press Club and ended in front of the Shram Bhaban. Following yesterday's (11 May) protest and mass procession in Gazipur, today's program in Dhaka was pre-announced. The workers stated that if their dues are not paid by 20 May, continuous sit-in and strict programs will be announced.

Notably, the total dues including arrear salaries and allowances of 5,219 workers of 8 factories of TNZ stand at BDT 54,12,67,000. Most of the workers have arrears of 1-3 months' salary and Eid bonus, while some workers' salary and allowances from a year ago remain unpaid. Following continuous movement by the workers since 23 March, partial arrears were paid, but in the latest tripartite meeting held on 22 April among the Ministry of Labor, owners, and workers, 7 May was fixed for clearing the arrears. However, no money was paid on that day either.

In protest, when workers enforced a blockade program in Gazipur on 8 May, they fell victim to a joint forces attack, leaving at least 20 injured. Expressing deep anger at a press conference organized in front of the Shram Bhaban on the following day, 10 May, the workers stated that although they received another notice for payment on 20 May, they no longer trust it.