Officials and staffers could not enter Srom Bhaban, the Department of Labour headquarters, throughout the day on Monday, as garment workers remained firm in their protest, vowing not to return home until their demands are met.
While workers continued their sit-in at the main gate of Srom Bhaban, union leaders from two garment factories—Stylecraft Ltd and Youngones (BD) Ltd—went to the chief adviser’s office around midday to submit a memorandum.
One of the worker representatives, Razu Ahmed, said they demanded payment of Tk20.86 crore in 14 months’ due wages and Eid bonuses for 1,058 workers.
The delegation also included KM Mintu, legal affairs secretary of the Garments and Sweaters Workers Trade Union Centre, along with Salma Akter of Stylecraft Ltd.
Meanwhile, workers from TNZ Group did not block Srom Bhaban itself but continued their demonstration on the surrounding roads.
Their leader, Shahidul Islam, said at night that they had been protesting for several months over unpaid wages. "Just before Eid, during Ramadan, the labour secretary had promised to pay Tk3 crore of our Tk17 crore dues, but only Tk2.67 crore was actually disbursed."
He said the workers will not leave without recovering the full amount and will stay on the streets even at night.
The protesters said they will remain on the streets until the government and factory owners accept their demands.
Earlier in the day, starting at 9am, workers of Stylecraft Ltd and Youngones (BD) Ltd blocked the main entrance of Srom Bhaban, preventing all officials and employees from entering until evening. They displayed their banners and chanted slogans throughout the day.
Amir Hossain, a leading organizer of the workers from the two factories, said the owners have repeatedly broken their promises.
He said they were compelled to begin a week-long sit-in in front of Srom Bhaban and will not leave without a final, credible assurance.
