Workers strike in Gazipur demanding arrears of salary before Eid

Workers of two separate industrial establishments in Konabari area of ​​Gazipur have observed a strike and sit-in program demanding arrears of salary, annual leave money, salary increase and payment of dues before Eid. The movement, which started on Thursday morning (May 21), has spread tension and anger throughout the entire industrial area. Industrial police and police station police have been deployed at the spot to control the situation.
The workers said that the workers of Keya Knit Composite Limited factory located in Jorun area of ​​Konabari have been protesting for several days demanding payment of arrears of salary for the last two months. Since the evening of last Sunday (May 17), the workers of the dyeing and knitting department stopped work and took a stand inside the factory. Later that evening, the strike took a more widespread form.
The workers alleged that although the factory authorities had assured to pay the salary on Wednesday (May 20), no money has been paid so far. Angered by this, the workers of the swing section have also joined the strike since this morning. As a result, the entire factory’s production operations have practically come to a halt.
A protesting dyeing operator said, “We have outstanding salaries for the last two months. This month’s salary is also pending. Eid-ul-Azha is in a few days, but we are worried about how we will manage with our families. When everyone is busy with Eid shopping, we are protesting demanding salaries. We will not return to work until we get salaries.”
Multiple sources said that not only the workers, but also the officers and employees of Keya Knit Composite Limited have been suffering from salary crisis for a long time. It has been alleged that many workers have outstanding salaries for 15 to 20 months. It is learnt that they are living in inhumane conditions.
On the other hand, workers of Tamizuddin Textile Mills PLC located in BSCIC Industrial Park in Gazipur have also been holding a sit-in program in front of the main gate of the factory since this morning. The factory’s ring operator Md. Atiqul Islam alleged that the authorities are not giving us leave even though we are sick. The workers are being treated inhumanely. Despite working for years, I am being deprived of my fair rights.
To deal with the situation, the Tamizuddin Textile Mills PLC authorities have put up a notice at the main gate of the factory. It states that the Eid-ul-Azha bonus and May salary will be paid next Sunday (May 24) as per the notification announced by BTMA.
In this regard, Iftekhar Hossain, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Konabari Police Station of Gazipur Metropolitan Police, said, “We have received news of a strike by workers at Keya Knit Composite Limited demanding outstanding salaries. The Industrial Police and Konabari Police Station are at the spot.”