19 factories did not open and 121 workers were dismissed
A day after the government and the owners accepted the 18-point demand of the workers, including increase in attendance bonus, most of the garment factories in the industrial area of Ashulia opened on Wednesday. However, all the factories that have been declared closed indefinitely will continue to function – 19 factories remained closed yesterday despite such announcements by the owners. No one could say for sure when it will open. The matter was confirmed by Superintendent of Police of Shilpa Police Ashulia Zone Mohammad Sarwar Alam. Meanwhile, Anant Garments authorities suspended 121 workers for vandalism, looting, disorderly conduct, not working, physically bribing staff and engaging in illegal activities.
According to the industrial police, 1 thousand 863 ready-made garments have already been produced in the industrial area due to various crises.
Among the factories, 169 factories were closed. With the addition of 19 more factories, the number of closed factories stands at 188
Meanwhile, most of the factories have opened and the activity has returned to Ashulia. As the owners accepted the demands, relief returned to the industrial area. However, hundreds of workers were dismissed
A temporary tension arises. Somewhere the strike went on demanding immediate implementation of a couple of demands. Yesterday Wednesday morning, the workers came to join work at Anant Garments and expressed their anger at the notice of dismissal. When there was some tension there, the members of law and order forces went and removed them. Vigilant presence of law and order forces has been seen in industrial areas including Jamgara, Jirabar, Nishchinpur, Narsinghpur in Ashulia.
On the other hand, workers of Mandal Group, owned by former MP and Awami League leader Abdul Momin Mandal, staged a protest in Jirabo area demanding the implementation of minimum wage of Tk 25,000. Later the police went and pacified them. In the afternoon, tension broke out after a worker was beaten up at Jihan Garments in Kathgara area. Apart from this, the situation in the entire industrial area was calm.
In view of the worker dissatisfaction that has been going on for several weeks in the country’s garment sector, the owners announced to accept the 18-point demands of the workers in a meeting organized by the Ministry of Labor and Employment on Tuesday. After the meeting, it was also announced that all industries in the country will be open from Wednesday.
According to Gazipur Industrial Police and factory sources, the workers of Food Ever staged a protest on September 10 demanding one month’s salary arrears. Meanwhile, the authorities announced the closure of the factory on September 12 without paying the salaries. Although the problems of almost all the factories in Gazipur were solved last Monday, the workers of those factories have not received their salaries till now. Therefore, on Wednesday, the workers staged a protest on the highway in front of the factory to demand salary. Later, around 1 pm, the workers moved off the highway after being assured of payment.
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Credit: dainikamadershomoy
