Garment workers block Dhaka streets for back pay

Hundreds of garment factory workers have come out on the streets in parts of Dhaka demanding back pay.

Workers blocked the streets in Mirpur, Bhashantek, Shah Ali, Badda, Bhatara and other areas on Wednesday. They blocked the streets for about two hours and suspended protests after the owners assured them of paying their dues, said police.

Disgruntled workers of Shamser Razia Garments staged a protest at Pragati Sarani from 9 am to 10 am on Wednesday, Badda Police Station chief Md Parvez told bdnews24.com. They left the street after the owner promised to pay their salaries on Apr 22.

In Kuril, workers from Classic Garment blocked a key road from 8.30 am to 10 am, said Inspector Abu Azif of Bhatara Police Station. They were assured of getting the salaries on Apr 20.

An area in Gabtoli was occupied by workers from MEC Garments in Darus Salam while the workers from Shakib Garments in Section-10 of Mirpur came out to the Mirpur-10 intersection, said Inspector Dular Hossain of Mirpur Police Station. The workers remained on the streets for two hours in protest. Police mediated with the workers and brought the situation under control, but the employees’ row with Shakib Garments is yet to be resolved.

Workers from Chittagong Garments staged a protest in Kachukhet for one and a half hours.  The factory is run on subcontracts, according to the police. Police set a meeting between the workers and the owner to discuss the issue. The workers suspended their protest following the owner’s assurance to pay their wages.

Around 150 workers from small local factories occupied an area near Muktijoddha Market for an hour, said Shah Ali Police Station OC Md Salahuddin. Later, they left the area after the owners promised to pay their dues.

PROTESTS IN CHATTOGRAM

Disgruntled workers of two garment factories in Chattogram’s EPZ and Atura Depot also took to the streets to demand payment of outstanding wages.

Employees of Padma Wear Garments blocked the EPZ intersection at around 8:30 am on Wednesday, said EPZ Police Station OC Md Nurul Huda. Police subsequently persuaded them to clear the streets an hour later, he said.

“There are about 2,000 workers in that factory and they were supposed to receive their salaries today. However, after gathering at the factory in the morning, they were told that their salaries would be delayed. The workers started protesting as a result.”

Meanwhile, workers of Itadi Garments blocked a road in Atura Depot after the factory failed to clear their dues on Wednesday, Bayazid Police Station OC Priton Sarkar told bdnews24.com.

“The workers became agitated and occupied a road near the factory. Police later went there and calmed them down.”