Labour and Employment Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman on Saturday promised to pay Tk3 crore for the wages and bonuses of workers at TNZ Group before Eid, increasing the amount from Tk2 to 3 crore, but the general workers rejected it.
"Another meeting with the worker leaders will be held on April 8," the labour secretary announced in front of Srom Bhaban, reports Bangla Tribune.
Earlier, after a nearly three-hour meeting, he had announced that the employer would sell machines to pay Tk2 crore.
After the meeting, he was held back by the workers for half an hour before leaving with a police escort.
When he tried to get into his car, the workers surrounded him and started protesting.
Later, he announced that Tk3 crore would be paid. However, the general workers still rejected it.
In his announcement, the labour secretary assured that all arrears and problems would be fully resolved before May Day.
Additionally, until then, TNZ Group's Director Shahin and three other officials will remain in the custody of the Labour Directorate, he said.
Later, worker representative Shahidul Islam from Apparel Plus Eco said that all dues must be paid before Eid.
He said that, against a total outstanding of Tk17 crore, even Tk3 crore would not help the workers, as many are living in dire conditions due to not receiving their wages for three months.
Therefore, unless at least one month's salary and one bonus are paid before Eid, the protests will continue, he added.
The worker representatives also declared that if the full dues are not paid, they will announce stronger actions starting from Saturday.
They also declared that they would continue to protest in front of the Srom Bhaban on the day of Eid.
