Workers protest at factory in Gazipur, police deployed
Workers of a factory named Ripon Knitwear Limited in Gazipur are on strike for the second day demanding night bills and annual leave money. On Thursday morning (February 26), the workers stopped work by taking a stand inside the factory in the Zarun area of Konabari.
According to police and local sources, the strike began at 12 noon on Wednesday demanding payment of the outstanding night bills and annual leave money for the last three months. The workers left the factory that afternoon, but entered the factory around 8 am today and resumed the protest by stopping work.
At one point, the workers had an argument with the workers. Later, the workers gathered and took a stand inside the factory. The workers alleged that despite working from 11 pm to 12 am every day, their night bills are not paid properly. Even in the upcoming month of Ramadan, they have to work for long hours.
Saddam Hossain, the factory’s administrative officer, said the workers were offered to pay their arrears of one month’s night bill within three months. However, the workers did not agree to it. He alleged that the agitated workers attacked the workers and they left the factory for safety. Morshed Zaman, inspector of Gazipur Industrial Police-2, Konabari Zone, said the workers are currently staying inside the factory. Discussions are underway with the owner. The Metropolitan Police has been deployed along with the Industrial Police to control the situation.
