Over 500 workers of two units of Anzir Apparels factory, located on Idris Road and in the Zirabo area of Ashulia, are in severe financial trouble, facing job loss, and have past-due arrears.
However, the authorities of Anzir Apparels said they were compelled to shut the factory due to ongoing losses brought on by a decline in work orders from overseas customers.
According to source, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, workers of Unit-2 and 3 of Anzir Apparels were given only bonuses. However, the arrears of the previous three months (April, May, June) are still unpaid.
Several Anzir Apparels employees reported that their coworkers were unable to travel to their villages to celebrate Eid because they were not paid their salaries, while some were able to make the journey by borrowing money on their own.
Mehedi Hasan, the assistant general manager of Anzir Apparels, informed the local media that the company employs about 800 people in its two facilities located in Ashulia and Zirabo.
“The factory was incurring losses to the tune of Taka 1-1.5 crore every month due to dwindling foreign work orders.”
He further said the factory has been closed for the time being, but could not ascertain when it will be opened.
RMG employees staged an agitation programme on the grounds of the Jatiya Press Club under the auspices of the Jatiya Sramik Federation. They demanded the reopening of Anzir Apparels and the payment of the 500 workers’ arrears, calling the factory’s sudden shutdown unconstitutional.
Additionally, they put up an eight-point demand that includes paying maternity leave, paying yearly leave, paying workers’ dues in the event of a worker’s layoff, providing leave to employees under the law, and providing attendance bonuses.
