Gazipur workers ‘satisfied’ by wages and bonuses, 81 factories open during Eid

“Factory authorities have paid wages and bonuses, not only for our factory but those around us as well. We can celebrate Eid happily,” a worker says

After a decade and a half of regular unrest around Eid time, the garment workers of Gazipur are celebrating this year’s festival under different circumstances.

According to the Industrial Police, this is the first time that salaries and bonuses have been paid to “100 percent” of factory workers in the industrial area without any protest or road blockade.

The Industrial Police said that 81 specialised factories in the district will remain partially open during the Eid holidays to maintain continuity in the production process.

Gazipur Industrial Area Police Superintendent Md Amjad Hossain said, "Over the past one and a half decades, workers have not received their dues and bonuses without protests, demonstrations, and blockades before Eid.

"After a long time, workers of about 2,834 organisations, including factories affiliated with the BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association) and BKMEA (Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association), have happily left for their village homes with their salaries and Eid bonuses."

Habibur Rahman, a worker at the “Star Light” garment factory in the Bhogra area of Gazipur city, said: "This time, factory authorities have paid wages and bonuses, not only for our factory but those around us as well.

“We can celebrate Eid happily with our family members."

Industrial Police officer Amjad Hossain said, "This has been possible due to the coordinated efforts of government initiatives, district administration, police and factory owners."

SOME FACTORIES OPEN DURING HOLIDAYS

A total of 81 factories in Gazipur will remain partially open during the Eid holidays. In some factories, especially spinning mills, production will partially continue as it is not possible to shut down the machines after loading raw materials.

All ceramics factories in the district - Paragon, RAK, DBL, Sunpower, Solar Ceramics and Nasir Glass - will remain partially open on Eid.

Saad Sun Textile Mill of Noman Group will remain open.

Among the sub-contractor factories, Sherpur Knitting, Moon Bright Knit Limited in the Hatimara area of Gazipur city, Loff and Knitting Design Fabrics Limited in Kashimpur’s Enayetpur, RA Knit Fabric in the Bagbari area, Mandal Knitwear in Surabari, Sarkar Knit in Sardaganj, Japan Knitwear in Kashimpur’s Surabari, Sirajganj Fashion in the Shaildubi area and the Shinepukur factory in Beximco Industrial Park will remain open.

Gazipur Industrial Area Police Superintendent Amjad Hossain said, “The machines cannot be shut down after loading raw materials at these factories. Therefore, the authorities have decided to keep the factories open to maintain the continuity of the production process.”