Photo: Bonik Barta Most
garment factories in Dhaka’s Ashulia industrial area reopened today (Tuesday,
October 1). However, production at several factories remains halted due to
internal and other issues. Meanwhile, since yesterday (Monday, September 30),
workers of Birds Group have been blocking the road to demand service benefits
and compensation.
Ashulia
Police Station’s Inspector (Investigation) Md. Kamal Hossain confirmed at 11:00
am today (Tuesday, October 1) that the road blockade by Birds Group workers is
ongoing. The workers have stated that they will not withdraw the blockade until
their dues are settled.
Industrial
police reported that the situation in the industrial zone is largely normal
today. All factories on Zirabo Road, except AR Jeans Producer Ltd., are
operational. Workers of AR Jeans Producer Ltd. and Mango Tex Ltd. in Tongabari
remains on paid leave. Other factories in the area, including Mondol Knitwear,
Natural Denim, and Natural Indigo, are running as usual.
In
the Jamgora and Narashinghapur areas of Ashulia, all factories, including
Envoy, The Rose, Ha-Meem, Sharmin, Medlar, and Ananta, are open. However,
Setara factory’s workers are on paid leave. Similarly, while Skyline factory in
Baipayl is on paid leave, other factories in the area are operational.
A
protest by Birds Group workers began around 9:30 am on Monday (September 30). They
blocked the road near Baipayl and in front of Savar DOHS. Though they later
withdrew from the DOHS area, workers continued their protest by blocking the
road in Baipayl.
A
Birds Group worker, who requested anonymity, stated, “We were supposed to
receive our legal dues on September 30, but the factory authorities deceived us
by not paying any compensation. We will not lift the blockade until we receive
our dues.”
Attempts
to reach Sarwar Alam, Superintendent of Police for Industrial Police-1, for
comments were unsuccessful.
Notably,
on August 28, all factories of Birds Group in Ashulia’s Baipayl area were laid
off. At that time, it was decided that workers and employees would be paid
their August salaries by September 10, and service benefits along with
compensation by September 30.
While
the workers were paid their salaries as per the agreement, the factory sought
an additional three months to pay the service benefits and compensation due on
September 30. This failure to pay led the workers to start the road blockade
protests.
