Over 8,500 workers dismissed

More than 8,500 workers have been dismissed in the country’s three industrial zones — Gazipur, Ashulia, and Narayanganj — despite repeated call from the government and assurance from factory owners for not cutting jobs amid coronavirus outbreak.

Thousands of readymade garment workers in Savar, Ashulia, Gazipur and Chattogram on Sunday continued their demonstrations in demand of full wages for April and other rights.

According to the Industrial Police, until May 9 more than 8,500 workers, mostly readymade garment workers, in 65 industrial units were dismissed after the government had announced public holiday and imposed movement restrictions on March 26.  

Out of 65 industrial units, 55 are readymade garment factories and are registered with Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association while nine are non-RMG units, the source said.

When asked, BGMEA president Rubana Huq on Sunday told New Age that they would make comment on Monday on the issue after tallying the number of dismissed workers with the figure of the trade body. 

After the announcement of countrywide public holiday to contain coronavirus outbreak the government repeatedly requested factory owners not to terminate workers amid the pandemic.

Although the RMG sector trade bodies — BGMEA and BKMEA — repeatedly assured for not cutting jobs, factory owners continued retrenchment without any restriction from both the government and the trade bodies, labour leaders alleged.

Earlier, labour rights groups on April 13 claimed that more than 1,000 RMG workers were terminated from their jobs amid holiday.

Workers, however, continued their demonstration protesting at the job cuts and demanding lawful wages from the second week of April.

Thousands of workers from at least 17 garment factories in Ashulia, Gazipur and Chattogram on Sunday staged demonstrations rejecting the decision of the government and factory owners of 60 per cent wages for the closure period of factories in April.

They demanded 100 per cent of wages in April.

Workers from seven factories in Ashulia on Sunday took to the streets demanding 100 per cent wages for the month of April.

Sources said that workers from five garment factories in Gazipur and workers from four factories in Chattogram on Sunday took to the streets demanding 100 per cent wages for April and arrears of March.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net