The continuing protest by the workers of Bangladesh’s apparel sector, which has entered the second week, has led the garment factory owners to warn workers of wages deduction if they fail to return to work immediately.
“If you do not return to work tomorrow [Monday] then you will not be paid any wages,” reportedly underlined President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Md Siddiqur Rahman at a press conference at the BGMEA office on Sunday.
The BGMEA head also warned that manufacturers might even consider shutting down their units if things do not improve.
“Otherwise factories will be closed indefinitely according to section 13/1 of the Labour Act,” reportedly warned Rahman.
It may be mentioned here that garment workers in Gazipur, Savar, Ashulia and several other apparel manufacturing hubs have taken to the streets with allegations that they are being paid less than they were before despite a new wage grade being initiated that raises their salaries.
A garment worker reportedly even lost his life on Tuesday, when police lobbed tear gas and fired rubber bullets to disperse around 5000 workers, who were reportedly protesting against the alleged discrepancies in the wage structure, from various manufacturing units.
