RMG factory workers protest in Savar over dismissal of co-workers

A readymade garment factory in Savar on the outskirts of the capital had to close its operations early after at least 500 of its workers on Tuesday (16 January) staged demonstration in protest against "unfair dismissal of their co-workers."

Workers of Anlima Textile Limited, located in the Ulail area of Savar along the Dhaka-Aricha highway stopped working and started protesting on the factory premises at around 9am.

As the authorities failed to calm down the protesters, they announced the closure of operations for the day at around 2:30pm. They also assured the workers that they along with BGMEA officials would sit with them about their allegations at 11am today.

Md Qayyum, assistant vice president (HR Admin) of the factory, told The Business Standard (TBS), "Due to the workers' agitation, the factory was declared closed for the day at around 2:30pm. After the announcement, the workers left the factory premises at around 3pm."

He further said, "Initially, it was decided that we would sit the workers. But the decision is not confirmed yet by the management."

The agitating workers alleged that factory authorities have been firing many of their co-workers without following due procedures for the past few days and without paying their wages and other benefits.

They have also accused the general manager of the factory, Golam Kibria, of misbehaving with the workers.

However, Md Qayyum denied these complaints. "The allegation of unfair dismissal of workers is not correct. Many workers have resigned due to lack of work in factories. I can assure that all those who have resigned have been paid all their fair dues including service benefits."

He also alleged that the angry workers of the factory had beaten up general manager Golam Kibria.

The factory's knit section has been suffering from an order crisis since last November, Md Qayyum said.

"Like many other factories, we have an order crisis going on. Many workers resigned due to lack of overtime payments. Because it is difficult for them to live on a basic salary. But there is no lack of sincerity from our side, even during the election, we have paid the salary of the workers on 4 January instead of the 7th in the new salary structure," he added.

Nasreen Akhtar, swing operator of the factory, told TBS, "For the last few months, many workers have been fired unfairly. Those who are being fired are not being given any service benefits."

"Two workers of the swing branch were sacked this [Tuesday] morning too," she added.

Rahman, quality inspector of the finishing section of the factory, told TBS, "15/20 days ago, workers protested in the factory over the same issue. The factory authorities verbally assured the workers that no one would be fired. But this [Tuesday] morning, a worker was not allowed to enter the factory. When the workers spoke to the general manager about the issue, he misbehaved with the workers and assaulted the workers. Later, the angry workers stopped work around 9am and started protesting."

He said 3 months ago there were 1,200-1,300 workers in the factory, now that number has come down to around 400-500 due to the "layoffs."

There are rumours more workers will be fired as 2 out of 4 swing floors of the factory will be closed soon, he added