To support their six-point demand—which includes increases in attendance incentives, annual pay, night shift allowances, medical leave, and other benefits—thousands of workers at Standard Group-owned International Training Service Ltd., a clothing factory, went on strike in Gazipur.
Workers gathered at the factory’s assembly point rather than reporting for their shifts, starting the walkout at 7:45 AM and stopping production until midday. According to Dipto Chandra Majumder, assistant superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police-2, the situation worsened until management consented to three of the six requests.
The striking employees want to enhance their yearly pay by 15%, increase their attendance bonus to 1,000 Taka, and increase their night shift allowance to 200 Taka. Additionally, the employees asked for more medical leave to be offered.
The protesters ended their walkout after negotiations resulted in factory management agreeing to three of the workers’ demands at lunchtime. “After the assurance given to the workers, the situation has returned to normal,” Dipto said.
Factory officials responded to the walkout by calling the demands of the workers irrational. International Training Service Ltd.’s administrative officer, Shariful Islam, highlighted that the present bonuses and allowances are in line with the rates set by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
He said, “The night shift allowance is Tk 150 and the attendance bonus is Tk 750 in accordance with BGMEA’s standards. We cannot raise these rates on our own without pressure from other factories in the area, even though the workers are asking an increase. We are continuing our conversation in the hopes of coming to a mutually agreeable conclusion. The situation remains under observation as both parties continue negotiations.