Uttara tense over unpaid wages before Eid: TNZ workers stage sit-in in front of Director Shahin Alam's residence

Just a few days before Eid-ul-Azha, thousands of workers of eight TNZ factories are still waiting for their overdue wages, bonuses, and allowances. Although the ownership promised to pay all dues before Eid, it was not implemented in reality. From Wednesday afternoon, angry workers gathered and started a sit-in program in front of the residence of TNZ Director Shahin Alam in Uttara Sector 4.

Although the TNZ group ownership paid partial dues to only 250 workers and staff on Tuesday, more than five thousand other workers are still deprived of their wages. Although banks were supposed to remain open till 2 pm today upon Bangladesh Bank's directives, workers alleged that the ownership did not pay any money, making the excuse that "banking transactions are not ongoing". A large section of the workers has alleged that a faction of the NCP's labor wing is trying to confuse the movement by making a compromise with the ownership.

They claimed that a syndicate of the NCP's labor wing has extorted 'tolls' from the workers using the names of some front-line representatives of the movement. It is known that after getting partial dues, 2.5 to 3 million taka was collected under the pretext of realizing remaining dues and various other reasons. As two Eids are about to pass without the payment of dues, intense tension is prevailing among the workers.

Allegations have also surfaced that without involving the tripartite committee, dues of 250 worker-staff were paid in collusion with the people of the NCP's labor wing, and NCP labor leaders kept commissions from there. In this situation, the payment of arrears for more than five thousand workers is uncertain. Despite three months of continuous movement, workers have been repeatedly deceived with assurances. Most recently, in a tripartite meeting on April 22 with the participation of the Ministry of Labor, ownership, and workers, a promise was made to pay all arrears by May 7.

However, this is the third time in the history of broken promises. As a result, frustration among the workers has deepened further. Against the claim of 541.2 million taka by 5,219 workers, only 220 million taka has been paid so far. Many workers have 1-3 months of unpaid salary, and some have not received dues from a year ago. Even Eid bonuses have not been paid. Workers alleged that in this situation, they are facing an extremely inhumane situation— some are on hospital beds, and some are starving. Even in the face of this long movement, no effective initiative from the government is visible.

Rather, there are also allegations that the police used baton charges, tear gas, and sound grenades on the peaceful sit-in program of the workers. The workers have only one question— through repeated broken promises, brokerage, and confusion— when will they get their rightful dues? The movement will stop if the government takes responsibility for implementation. Otherwise, the indication that this struggle will become longer is becoming clear from Uttara.