Protest in front of Labour Building locking in factory owners demanding unpaid wages and bonuses

Hundreds of workers of Seasons Dresses factory in Gazipur are staging a protest locking in the factory owners at the Labour Building in Bijoynagar, capital. As no initiative was taken despite agitation to pay the arrears of wages and bonuses, the protest resumed again from Sunday (June 22) morning. Visiting the spot in the evening, it was seen that workers took positions in front of the Labour Building and surrounding roads and chanted various slogans. They stated that they will not withdraw from the programme until their demands are met.

Kabir Hossain Hawlader, organizing secretary of Bangladesh Garment Workers Trade Union Federation, said, "The owners owe about 1,200 workers more than Tk 5 crore in arrears including two months' wages and two bonuses. If the factory is declared closed permanently, the total dues of the workers will stand at around Tk 20 crore." He further informed that as per the decision of June 16, a tripartite meeting between owners, workers and administration was scheduled to be held at the Labour Building today at 10 am.

Although worker representatives were present on time, no high-ranking government official was present. Only an industrial police representative and the director general of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments were present. Four representatives from the owner side were supposed to come, but only one came. Besides, no representative of the bank with which the factory is mortgaged was present, although they were supposed to be present. Kabir Hawlader alleged that a section of the owner side expressed unwillingness to pay the workers' dues in the meeting.

Consequently, worker leaders boycotted the meeting and took to the movement. On the other hand, workers of Taratex Fashion, another factory in the same area, have reportedly withdrawn from the protest as some of their demands were accepted. Currently, the protesting workers in front of the Labour Building have announced to continue their movement until their rightful dues are realized.