‘Strike, blockades if Tuba workers aren’t paid’

The Tuba Group Sramik Sangram Committee, comprising rights groups, has threatened strikes and blockades if Tuba Group workers are not paid their dues on Wednesday,.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 5 August 2014, 10:33 AM
Updated : 5 August 2014, 12:00 PM

“Prepare for bigger agitations like strikes and blockades if all the dues are not paid by Wednesday,” said Taslima Akhter, convener of Sramik Sangati, during a siege of the BGMEA’s office on Tuesday.

The members of the committee held a rally in front of BGMEA Bhaban at 11am Tuesday despite police efforts to prevent the demonstration.

Workers of the Tuba Group’s five factories have been on a hunger strike for a straight nine days to press for three months’ unpaid wages, overtime dues, and bonuses.

A procession of hundreds of workers was stopped by police before the BGMEA office in Karwan Bazar. Police also did a baton charge on the workers during the scuffle.

“The BGMEA has signed a tripartite agreement with organisations that aren’t party to the Tuba Group workers’ campaign. I condemn those who took part in it.”

It was signed in the BGMEA Bhaban on Sunday under government mediation after attempts to pay the workers failed.

The workers rejected the BGMEA proposal of paying two months’ salary by Wednesday with the body’s own funds.