Readymade garment workers blockaded a major thoroughfare in Bangladesh, near the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, demanding due pay and bonus – what they said was kept uncleared before the Eid-ul-Azha held on August 22.
Hundreds of workers took position from Abdullahpur to Jashimuddin, the road that leads to Dhaka airport, blocking traffic for hours. The blockade was put in place around 10:00am on August 30, 2018, and continued for hours, creating long tailbacks on either ends.
According to what could be known, workers of Top Jeans Ltd were kept deprived of their wage and Eid bonus, in contradiction to the unified decision of garment manufacturers and the government. This led to dissatisfaction and demonstration back on August 20 – two days ahead of the Eid. At that time, some workers were assaulted and 28 were sacked.
After Eid holidays, the workers again gathered at the main gates of the factory in Uttarkhan. But, they were driven away instead. Angry and agitated, the workers took to the streets, blocking the Airport road. Later, several other garments workers joined them.
Apparel Resources learnt that workers of another factory of APS Group, also located at Uttarkhan, are in protests over a similar cause.
Rafiqul Alam, joint secretary to Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), mediated and assured the workers that their demand of pay will be met by the first week of September. Based on his assurance, the workers withdrew from the road around 2:30pm.
Uttara South Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ali Hossain Khan confirmed Apparel Resources that the workers withdrew upon assurance from the officials of BGMEA.
Meanwhile, Apparel Resources tried to reach Parimal Kumar Shaon, managing director of Top Jeans Ltd, repeatedly. However, he did not pick up the phone.
It is to be noted that a few days ago, BGMEA said they had successfully compelled almost all the factory owners to pay the wage and bonus of workers before Eid.