Labour situation improves in Ashulia industrial zone

Labour situation in the Ashulia industrial zone improved as the workers of almost all the garment factories joined their respective workplaces on Sunday.
The development emerged a day after a tripartite meeting that called upon the workers to join their respective factories, apparently offering a congenial working environment after two weeks of unrest.
However, according to industrial police sources, some 18 factories including garment units at Ashulia area remained closed on the day in line with labour law provision of 13 (1), meaning 'no work no pay'.
When asked, Mohammad Sarowar Alam, superintendent of Industrial Police-1 (Ashulia), confirmed the number of closed RMG and non-RMG factories.
Two of the factories announced a holiday while two others could not operate as workers did not work, he said, adding that the labour situation has improved with workers rejoining their workplaces.
Talking to the FE, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Khondaker Rafiqul Islam also said all but a few factories were in operation on Sunday.
About the fresh closure of factories in Mirpur-14 and Kachukhet areas, he said these units would also open today (Monday).
According to BGMEA data, six of its member units remained closed on Sunday in line with labour law provision 13 (1).
The production of six more units was suspended as workers did not work while four more announced paid holiday on the same day.
The BGMEA data also revealed that some 15 factories located in Mirpur-14 and Kachukhet area were closed as workers staged demonstrations.
Khadiza Akter, general secretary of Sammilito Garments Sramik Federation, said some factories in those areas demonstrated demanding payments of monthly wage dues and overtime.
Around 100 factories in the areas of Savar, Ashulia and Gazipur industrial belts, mostly from Ashulia, failed to operate for more than last two weeks as workers had been protesting making a number of demands, including increase in attendance and tiffin allowances, removal of some mid-level employees, recruiting more male, and stopping blacklisting workers who engaged in last year's wage hike protest.
Later, factory owners at Ashulia belt at a meeting with BGMEA, labour leaders and law enforcing agencies agreed to meet some of their demands, including increasing allowances of attendance and tiffin.
On Saturday, labour leaders called on workers to join their respective workplaces for the sake of the economy and the industry while factory owners at the same view exchange meeting warned of shutting down units if unrest persists further.
The interim government advisors - industries, labour and employment - also warned of strict measures if unrest is created in any of the units.

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