Garment workers protest in Savar over delayed wages

Garment workers staged a protest by blocking the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Savar demanding timely payment of wages. On Tuesday (May 13) around 11:00 am, workers of Global Outerwear Limited, a factory under Azim Group, took position in the Rajashon area and participated in the protest. The workers alleged that the date for paying April wages has been postponed multiple times. Although May 12 was initially fixed, the authorities later postponed it to May 13 and finally to May 18. Angered by this dilly-dallying by the management, the workers took position on the highway.

As the protest disrupted traffic movement, police and the army arrived to control the situation. Later, upon assurances from the administration, the workers left the main road and took position on a nearby side road. Saif Uddin Chowdhury, an official of the factory, said that there was some delay in paying wages, but initiatives have been taken and all dues will be paid in phases. Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, Superintendent of Police of Industrial Police-1, said, "Discussions are underway with the management keeping the demands of the workers in consideration. Arrangements will be made to pay the wages soon."