Dhaka – Workers of at least 25 ready made garment (RMG) factories in Ashulia area at Savar abstained from work in their units demanding a minimum Tk 16,000 as monthly salary.
They started work abstain programme of the factories Monday morning, said Ashulia police OC Mohsinul Quadir.“We are trying to perusing the workers to back their work and holding meeting along owners,” he said.
Till filing this report discussion was holding between owners and workers.
The last time the workers received a pay-hike was in 2013 and the minimum wage was fixed at Tk 5,300 a month as starting salary.
However, the workers now demand minimum Tk 15,000 salary a month.
Workers of three more factories also observed work stoppage, remaining within the factory premises of Setara Group, Bando Design and Star Link Creation.
Production came to a halt due to workers’ strike at the factories De Rose, Pioneer, Washing Design, Palmal Group, Safa Knit, Dong Xiang and Envoy.
The workers also alleged that they were not given gratuity and leave to which they are entitled. They even complained about harassment by the owners of the factories.
The protesting workers say that is woefully inadequate to run their households.
General secretary of Garment Workers Trade Union central committee, Khairul Mamun Mintu said workers can not survive with the present amount of salary due to skyrocket of daily essential.
The resentment among the workers had been growing over the last one week triggering anxiety among the factory owners.
Most of these factories are located in Jamgorha, Norshinghopur and Beron area of Ashulia area outside of Dhaka.
Shadhan Kumar De, who runs a factory ‘The Rose Dresses’ in Jamgorha, said he anticipated losses if the issue was not resolved soon. – Staff Reporter
