The workers of Tuba Group, RMG workers leaders and rights activists again urged the Tuba Group owners yesterday to reopen closed factories and demanded payment of Eid bonuses immediately.
The workers and activists made the renewed demand at a “Solidarity Meeting” held in support of Tuba Group workers’ demands.
As per their declared schedule, the Garment Workers Unity Forum (GWUF) held the solidarity rally at Shahbag yesterday.
Mosrefa Mishu, president of the organisation, presided over the meeting which was also attended by Dhaka University Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury, Anu Muhammad, a rights activist and economist, and leaders of RMG workers.
“The hard labour of our workers sustain the economy of our country but they do not get due respect for their diligence,” said Serajul Islam Choudhury.
The government and the BGMEA are working for the owners, not for the workers, he added.
“The RMG workers are being deprived of their demand due to Trade Union leaders and BGMEA,” said Anu Muhammad, who expressed solidarity with the workers.
He expressed concern that the workers might not get their dues.
“Our prime demand is reopening factories as we are now jobless and have to starve if the factory does not run,” said Amena Akter, a worker of Tuba Group.
At the rally, the garment workers renewed the demand for immediate payment of due Eid bonuses and reopening of the group’s closed factories.
Scrapping of Tuba Group owner Delowar’s bail, punitive action against him, forfeiting his properties and declaring it as the government assets also included the demand.
On July 28, at least 1,200 workers of five factories of the Tuba Group went on indefinite hunger strike in the capital, demanding payment of three months’ wages, overtime and Eid bonuses.
Following the demonstration, the BGMEA paid two months’ wages to more than 1,600 workers of the Tuba Group.
The five units of Tuba Group, whose workers are yet to get their dues, are Tuba Fashions, Tuba Textiles, Mita Design, Taif Design and Bughsan Garments.