Another garment worker falls ill during protest in front of Shrom Bhaban

TNZ Group workers are falling ill due to the intense heat and lack of sleep during their day-and-night sit-in program. An elderly worker fell ill just a short while ago. Notably, the total dues of 5,219 workers from 8 factories of TNZ Group stand at Tk 54,12,67,000. Many workers have 1 to 3 months of unpaid wages and Eid bonuses. Even some workers' dues from a year ago have not been settled yet. Workers have been continuing continuous protests since March 23.

As a result, although partial dues were paid, in the latest tripartite meeting on April 22 between the Ministry of Labor, owners, and worker representatives, a promise was made to pay the dues on May 7. But no money was paid on the scheduled date either. In protest of this deception, workers enforced a blockade program in Gazipur on May 8. However, at least 20 workers were injured in an attack by joint forces there.

Following that, workers expressed their anger at a press conference organized in front of Shrom Bhaban on May 10, and a mass procession of thousands of workers was held in Gazipur on May 11. A massive procession starting from in front of Shrom Bhaban on May 12 returned there and turned into a protest rally. Since then, the workers' sit-in program in front of Shrom Bhaban has begun. Lying on the streets day and night in inhumane conditions, they are keeping their hopes alive—that one day at least they will get back their earned money. Yesterday on May 13, they continued their sit-in program.

After a female worker fell ill at yesterday's sit-in program, another worker fell ill today on May 14. Even though workers are falling ill while carrying out the sit-in program amidst intense heat and inhumane conditions, no response is coming from the government.