Tuba Group Sramik Sangram Committee, a platform of 15 trade unions, yesterday issued a 24-hour ultimatum to both the government and the BGMEA to pay wages and festival bonuses for workers of five closed factories of Tuba Group.
The ultimatum came from a siege programme in front of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) organised by the Tuba Group Sramik Sangram Committee.
“If the workers of the closed factories of Tuba Group are not paid their dues and festival allowances within 24 hours, we will go for a tougher movement,” Moshrefa Mishu, convener of the committee, told the programme.
Hundreds of workers of Tuba Group took part in the programme while the leaders from several federations and trade unions joining the demonstration, demanding pays by the government-set deadline.
Mishu demanded wages for the workers for the month of August and September, plus festival bonuses for Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Azha as the factories’ layoff is not valid as per the government as well as the Labour Act.
Misu vowed the owners will not be let to celebrate Eid if the workers fail to observe the festival due to non-payment of the wages and allowances in due time.
If the Tuba management wants to shut factories, it has to be according to the Labour Act and the workers must be paid their dues in line with the laws, she added.
“We want wages and festival allowances and also work in the factories again and the factories should reopen soon,” said Anwar Hossain, a worker of Tuba Group.
Talking to the Dhaka Tribune over the issue, BGMEA acting President Shahidullah Azim said: “BGMEA is working on the issue to avert untoward situation before the Eid.”
“We are trying to give the workers at least one month basic before the upcoming festival.”
Garment Workers Unity Forum Secretary Shahidul Islam Sabuj and Bangladesh Garment workers Trade Union centre General Secretary Ruhul Amin also spoke at the programme.
On August 18, the Tuba Group owner announced the shutdown of five factories of Tuba Group in line with the article 13(1) of Labour Act 2006.
The closure of five RMG units had rendered around 1,500 workers jobless.
According to the Labour Act 2006, the employers may, in the event of an illegal strike by any section or department of any establishment, close down either totally or partly such section or department and the striking workers shall not be paid any wages for such closure.