Workers of Khantex Fashion Limited, part of the KFL Group, have launched a protest inside the factory over unpaid wages for October and other long-standing demands in Shreepur, Gazipur on Monday.
The workers in the factory, located west of Baratopa Bazar in the Maona Union of Shreepur Upazila, have been protesting for the past two days demanding their outstanding wages and other arrears.
The protesting workers, including Nayantara, Mousumi, Ahmad, Bipul, and Mazharul, explained that although the company is supposed to pay wages on the seventh working day of each month, the factory management has been paying wages irregularly and in installments.
Wages are paid on the 20th of each month, and while the workers receive their wages, supervisors, distributors, and markers receive only half of their pay. Line chiefs, in-charges, and managers have had their wages pending for the past two months. The management has been deceiving workers by providing a false date for payment every month.
They also said that due to personal emergency issues, when workers ask for one or two days off, they are not granted leave, and when absent, they are terminated without any reason.
The factory owner dismisses workers without regard for labour laws.
Additionally, workers have not been paid for earned leave, lunch bills, attendance bonuses, or incentive bonuses for several years. Staff members were also given only half of their Eid bonuses in the last two Eid holidays.
This has led to long-standing discontent among the workers.
Inspector of the Industrial Police Abdul Latif said that workers at Khantex Fashion Limited have been protesting inside the factory for two days. On Monday morning, instead of joining work, they gathered at the assembly point and continued their protest. Both industrial and local police are present at the factory.
Humayun Kabir, the assistant general manager (AGM) of Khantex Fashion Limited, said: "On Thursday (November 14), we paid wages to some workers. For those remaining, we have informed them that they will be paid on Thursday (November 21). However, they are protesting against this. The bank is not releasing the funds, and we cannot withdraw money. This is why we are unable to pay them. We understand the current situation in the country."
When asked about the two or three months of pending wages for staff, he said that the staff's wages have been cleared, and there are no arrears.
