RMG workers stage demo in Dhaka, Chattogram for wages

Workers of several readymade garment (RMG) factories have staged demonstrations in Dhaka and Chattogram on Wednesday, demanding that their wages be cleared.

Countrywide lockdowns due to the coronavirus epidemic has led to sudden closures of garment factories, in many cases without pay.

Demonstrations were staged at various locations in Dhaka including Mirpur, Pallabi, Pragati Sharani, and Savar.

At Mirpur, workers from Needs Fashions LTD and Amichi Apparels LTD staged a protest at Darus Salam around 8:30am, said Mostafizur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Mirpur Police Station, reports UNB.

They eventually withdrew around 10am, when authorities concerned assured them of meeting their demands, he said.

At Mirpur-10 roundabout, workers of Sakib Garmets staged a protest around 10am.

Sopna Akter, a worker of the factory, said they were due wages for the last three months. 

“That’s why we have taken to the streets. We’ll continue our protest until our wages are cleared,” she said.

Workers of Clemon Garments at Pallabi took to the streets around 10:15am in protest, said Nazmul Islam, officer-in-charge of Pallabi Police Station, reports UNB.

They eventually lifted their protest after getting assurance from factory authorities that their demands will be met.

Workers of a garment factory staged demonstrations in front of their factory in Pragati Sarani around 8:30am, said officer-in-charge of Bhatara Police Station Mukteruzzaman, reports UNB.

They also withdrew their protest around 10:30am, following assurance from factory authorities.

In Savar, workers of a ceramic factory rioted in front of their factory at Bhagalpur in the morning, demanding payment of their wages.

The workers of Bengal Fine Ceramics also took to the streets in protest in the morning, said AFM Sayeed, officer-in-charge of Savar Model Police Station, reports UNB.

He added that the workers also vandalized valuables in the factory, only fleeing when police arrived at the scene. 

A group of three garment workers of Daskhinkahn area blocked Uttara’s Jasimuddin road in protest around 12:00pm, demanding their dues.

Uttara East Police station OC Nure Alam Siddique confirmed the incident, adding that they lifted their protest around 2:30pm when their demands were met. 

In Chittagong, workers of a garment factory in the Chittagong Export Processing Zone staged demonstrations in Free Port area in the morning, demanding clearance of their wages.

Officer-in-charge of EPZ Police Station Mir Mohammad Nurul Huda said the workers took to the street around 8:30am, reports UNB.

They withdrew their blockade around 10am, following assurance from factory authorities to clear their wages by April 18.

At least 10,000 garment workers have been sacked in Bangladesh as western brands, hit by coronavirus lockdowns, cancel orders. Union leaders urged the government on Tuesday to step in.