Garment workers in Narayanganj observe hunger strike demanding pending arrears
BKMEA president assures clearing 2 month’s pay within this month
More than a hundred garment workers observed a hunger strike today (7 October) in Narayanganj this morning, demanding three months' pending salaries.
The protesters held their programme in front of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) office in the Chashara area from 12-2pm, and demanded the factory owners implement their 18-point agreement which includes clearing unpaid wages.
They alleged that wages for the last three months have not yet been paid in at least four-five garment factories, including Nemcon Design and Abanti Colour Tex, since July.
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Contacted, Mahbubur Rahman Ismail, president of the Bangladesh Textile Garments Workers' Federation, said, "Even though the workers filed written complaints regarding unpaid wages with the deputy commissioner, the owners have not taken any action. Despite repeated assurances, the owners failed to clear the wages. Rather, workers are being threatened. Under these circumstances, workers and their families are living in dire straits."
This union leader said he held BKMEA leaders responsible for the situation. He said if all due wages are not paid immediately, the workers will escalate their protest, including besieging the deputy commissioner's office.
However, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem dismissed the workers' allegations as baseless, stating that the factories had to halt production due to past protests, flooding, and lack of cooperation from banks. As a result, the owners were unable to pay the workers.
He assured that at least two months of due wages would be paid within this month.
