BGMEA to pay outstanding salaries to Tuba workers today

After getting little response from protesting Tuba Group workers, Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association is saying they will pay off outstanding salary today (Thursday) as well. As of Wednesday afternoon, 326 of around 1,600 Tuba Group workers had collected 2 months’ salaries from the BGMEA office in Karwan Bazar. BGMEA officials gave Tuba workers their salaries at its headquarters, but a few of the agitating workers turned up. Most of them are still at their factory at Uttar Badda on a hunger strike running into its 11th day. The workers are demanding that the entire three-month salary and Eid bonus has to be paid. Expenses for the treatment of the workers who have fallen ill during the hunger strike must also be met. They are also clamouring for cancelling the bail granted to their employer Delwar Hossain, who was in jail until Tuesday charged with the deaths of 112 workers in Tazreen Fashions fire in 2012. BGMEA President Atiqul Islam said the owners had decided in a meeting that since many of the workers could not come on Wednesday, the salaries would be offered from 9am-5pm today Thursday, an offer turned down by Tuba workers, according to a news agency.