More than 500 workers of Lithe Group staged a demonstration in front of Sromo Bhaban under the Department of Labour's (DoL) in Dhaka on Sunday, demanding immediate payment of their outstanding wages and statutory benefits following the closure of the group's five garment factories.
The protesters alleged that the company had shut down its factories in phases without clearing workers' dues, leaving thousands of employees in financial uncertainty.
The demonstration took place days after the Lethee Group announced the indefinite closure of its five manufacturing units -- Apparel-21 Ltd, Fonkom Fashion Ltd, Fonkom Dyeing Ltd, Fonkom Printing Ltd and Fonkom Knitting Ltd.
In a notice, the company cited prolonged gas supply disruptions, a sharp decline in export orders, repeated labour unrest, falling sales, lack of bank financing and mounting financial losses as reasons behind the closures, which took effect on July 3 last.
The company said former skilled employees would be given priority if production resumes in the future and that workers' dues would be settled in accordance with decisions reached through discussions with the authorities.
However, agitating workers claimed that the factories had been closed one after another without payment of their outstanding wages and legal entitlements.
Nasir Uddin, a stackerman at Apparel-21 Ltd, who has worked there for four years, said staff members are owed three months' salaries, while workers have not received wages for the last two months.
Tofazzal Hossain, a store employee at Fonkom Dyeing with five years of service, said workers have been left with no source of income following the closures.
Didarul Islam, a packing worker at Fonkom Printing, said after Eid holidays workers were informed about the factory closure, as the factory had no work orders and workers would be called back only if sufficient export orders were secured.
Mohammad Sharif Mia, vice-president of the Bangladesh Garment Sromik Jote, alleged that the group's managing director had gradually shut down all production units without settling workers' dues.
"The workers are demanding all their due benefits under Section 26 of the Bangladesh Labour Act. But the owners are offering only five to 10 days' service benefits, which the workers have rejected," he said.
Mr Sharif also alleged that the management had asked the Industrial Police to deal with the situation without holding discussions with the workers, prompting them to gather at Sromo Bhaban to seek the intervention of the labour authorities.
He said the workers would continue their sit-in in front of Sromo Bhaban until their outstanding wages and all legal benefits are paid.
A visit by this correspondent to Sromo Bhaban on Sunday afternoon found no senior Department of Labour officials available to speak with the protesting workers.
However, the Lithe Group Managing Director F.M. Kabir Mohiuddin could not be contacted despite making repeated attempts.
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