While their counterparts at Apparels Plus Eco Ltd received only 70 per cent of a month’s compensation, employees at TNZ Apparels Ltd have claimed not receiving any payment at all. This information comes after employees of the two TNZ Group-owned businesses met on March 27 to air their complaints.
Labour Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain announced that Apparels Plus Eco workers were partially compensated by selling factory cars. However, TNZ Apparels workers, who claim they have received nothing, are holding a press conference on 28th March at 11:00 am at the Shrom Bhaban in Dhaka to address what they describe as “lies” from the Labour Adviser concerning their unpaid wages and bonuses.
According to a statement signed by TNZ workers Md Shahidul Islam, Rekha Akhter Tinni, and Md Shaheen Alam, they have been protesting near the Shrom Bhaban for five days. They accused the police of attacking them during a peaceful demonstration aimed at the Ministry of Labour. The statement emphasised that while the Ministry of Labour was expected to disburse all outstanding wages and bonuses by 27th March, only the workers of Apparels Eco Plus received partial payment, leaving two months’ salary, Eid bonuses, and food allowances still owed.
Despite claims made by the Labour Adviser regarding the sale of company assets to cover worker payments, TNZ Apparels workers maintain they have not seen a single taka. Their statement expressed outrage at what they consider misinformation regarding their financial situation.
Hossain, speaking at a press briefing, confirmed that funds from the sale of factory cars were utilized to pay Apparels Plus Eco workers. He also mentioned that Taka 12.23 crore had been allocated to address the outstanding dues of three other factories. However, he clarified that this support could not be extended to other organisations.
As of now, a report by the Industrial Police indicates that 122 ready-made garment and textile factories have not cleared their February salaries, with 30 of these factories also behind on payments from January and earlier months. The total number of factories operating under the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and other organizations is 2,890, of which 2,768 have paid their workers for February.
In light of the ongoing payment issues, Labour Adviser Sakhawat assured that action would be taken against any entities failing to meet their payroll obligations, stating, “We will start taking action against those who do not pay it by today or tomorrow morning. Almost all the problems have been resolved.”
