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Workers of Etyadi Jeans Limited’s garment factory blocked a road in Chattogram on Wednesday, demanding payment of four months’ overdue wages.
The workers took to the main road in the Aturer Depot area on Wednesday morning, disrupting traffic and causing severe congestion. Commuters and other passengers travelling to work were also affected.
The workers alleged that their wages and other benefits had remained unpaid for a long time. They also claimed that the factory authorities had failed to meet several of their legitimate demands.
They said they were forced to take to the streets to demand immediate payment of their arrears and implementation of their other demands.
The workers warned that they would announce tougher programmes if their demands, particularly payment of the overdue wages, were not met soon.
According to a notice issued by Etyadi Jeans Limited authorities on August 13, the current owner would bring the new owner to the factory between August 20 and 22 to hold discussions with worker representatives, representatives of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), and government representatives.
The notice said the jobs of workers, employees and officials would continue under the new owner, maintaining their original dates of appointment. If the new owner disagreed, the current owner would settle the workers’ dues in accordance with labour laws.
However, the workers said they were dissatisfied because the notice did not provide any clear assurance of the immediate payment of their overdue wages, despite mentioning the transfer of ownership and continuation of employment.
Meanwhile, law enforcement personnel went to the scene after learning about the blockade and attempted to bring the situation under control. Police also worked to restore normal traffic movement on the road.
Mahmuda Begum, superintendent of police of Industrial Police Chattogram, said, “The garment workers are making various demands, including payment of their overdue wages. Our police and local police are at the scene and working to control the situation. We are trying to reach a settlement through discussions with both sides.”
