RMG workers besiege BGMEA office for payment of wages

Workers of a garment factory laid a siege to the BGMEA building in Uttara area of the capital on Monday, demanding payment of wages and other benefits before the Eid-ul-Fitr festival.

Meanwhile, workers of another garment factory staged a demonstration and blocked the road in Paltan area of the capital on the same day for the same reason.

According to sources at the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), more than 200 workers of 'Roar Fashion Ltd' took position in front of the BGMEA Complex on Sunday night, disrupting the activities of the apparel trade body.

However, BGMEA officials came out of the office after the industrial police stepped in.

On Monday morning, many officials could not enter the BGMEA office as the agitating workers were staging a sit-in in front of the building. The sit-in continued till filing of this report at 7:30pm.

Sources at law enforcement agencies said the apparel factory faced a financial crisis following the country's political changeover.

So, the factory authorities failed to pay wages regularly. In January, the factory announced a layoff, they added.

Workers claimed they owed January payment and other lawful benefits.

In another development, workers of TNZ Group staged demonstration in front of Srama Bhaban in Paltan area on Monday, demanding payment three months' wages and festival allowances.

The agitating workers also besieged the Srama Bhaban on Sunday night. Its officials came out of the office at around 10:00pm after law enforcement personnel stepped in and assured the workers of discussing the issue with government high-ups.

According to data, some 31, out of 2,107 BGMEA-member factories, are yet to pay February wages while one unit did not pay January wages.

About 1,763 factories paid festival allowance while some 84 units paid March wages partially or fully based on discussion with their respective workers.

munni_fe@yahoo.com