Garment workers of Al-Muslim Group in Savar yesterday staged protests demanding reinstatement and payment of outstanding dues, briefly blocking the Dhaka–Aricha Highway's Dhaka-bound lane for about one and a half hours.
According to sources, 1,868 workers were laid off from three garment factories operated by the group, which cited a downturn in business and a decline in export orders as the reason for the decision.
The layoffs affected 1,286 workers at AKM Knitwear Limited in Ulail, 529 workers at Pacific Blue Jeans Wear in the Radio Colony area, and 53 workers at Al-Muslim Apparels in Ashulia.
Md Abu Rayhan, Deputy General Manager (Administration) of Al-Muslim Group, said the workers had been laid off under Section 20 of the Bangladesh Labour Act due to reduced business activity and a shortage of purchase orders.
"All legal dues and outstanding payments have been settled in accordance with labour laws," he said.
Many affected workers gathered outside the factories in Ulail and Radio Colony Saturday morning. Some checked lists posted on factory walls to see whether their names appeared among those laid off.
Workers alleged that the layoffs were not carried out in full compliance with the Bangladesh Labour Act and questioned the company's claim that a lack of work had necessitated the dismissals.
"We were paid only 20 days' wages before the Eid holidays. We received no prior notice of the layoffs," said Sabbir Hossain, a sewing section worker at the Ulail factory. "We regularly worked overtime, yet management says there is no work."
Nazma Akter, who had worked as a helper at the factory for three years, said she learned of her dismissal only after returning from the Eid holidays.
"When I arrived at the factory, management took my ID card and told me I no longer had a job. They asked me to check my phone for a message, but there was none," she said.
Labour leaders noted that while Section 20 of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006 permits employers to lay off workers under certain circumstances, Section 21 requires that laid-off workers be given priority for re-employment if the company resumes hiring. They alleged that no such assurance had been provided to the affected workers.
Khairul Mamun, legal affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Garments and Sweaters Workers Trade Union Centre, said the long-term livelihoods of the dismissed workers should have been taken into consideration.
"In most industries, workers become more employable as they gain experience and skills. In the garment sector, however, those who receive salary increases through annual increments or promotions are often the most vulnerable to layoffs," he said.
The mass layoffs have renewed concerns about job security and labour rights in Bangladesh's garment industry as manufacturers continue to grapple with economic pressures and fluctuating global demand.