Gazipur’s Tusuka Group layoffs 239 employees

A list consisting of the names of the fired employees was hung on the factory entrance on Thursday

As many as 239 workers have been laid off by the authorities of Tusuka Group in Gazpur’s Konabari area.

A week back, at least six factories owned by the group were closed indefinitely due to labour protests and vandalism.

On Thursday morning, a list consisting of the names of the laid-off workers was put up on the main gate of the factory.

Later, several employees of the factory gathered in front of the entrance upon hearing the news of the layoffs.

Monir Hossain, an employee of the factory, said: “Many of our workers have been laid off. Upon hearing the news, I went to the factory premises and found my name on the list. I don’t even know what wrong I have done. I had a night shift on the day of the strike.”

“I did not participate in the strike. Workers of another factory rioted, and I am the one losing my job. I don’t know where I will find work now.”

According to the factory authorities and industrial police, Tusuka Jeans Limited, Tusuka Trousers Limited, Tusuka Processing Limited, Tusuka Packaging Limited, Tusuka Denim Limited, and Tusuka Washing Limited, located in the Konabari area, were shut down indefinitely under s 13(1) of the Labour Act after the labour strike on Nov 2.

After being closed for a few days, authorities fired 239 employees over allegations of disorder.

Ferdousi Akhtar, one of the workers who was laid off, said: “What is our fault if the factory was attacked and vandalised? Our livelihood depends on our work. We want to work. We don’t want any trouble.”

Tusuka Trouser Limited factory operator Omar Ali has expressed his anger over the layoff.

He told bdnews24.com: “I have not committed any crime, and yet I was fired. Now I have to find a new job.”

Billal Hossain, one of the workers of the factory, said: “The factory was closed already. Later, I received a text on my phone around 8pm on Wednesday that said – Md Billal, your job has been terminated from Nov 6. You can collect your dues from the factory’s accounts office.”

Tusuka Group Director Tarek Hasan stated: "We laid off 239 workers for fighting and vandalism on factory premises in accordance with labour laws." All their dues will be paid per the labour law.”

According to Abu Taleb, the assistant superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police, in addition to intelligence surveillance, additional police forces have been deployed in various areas of Konabari after the layoffs were made.