Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - Tuba Group Shramik Sangram Committee, a temporary platform of labour rights organisations, has called a strike in the country’s apparel industries for Saturday demanding salaries for three months and Eid bonuses.
Tuba Group workers and labour leaders on Friday formed a human chain demanding salaries for the month of July including bonuses.
They also demanded cancellation of bail of Tuba Group's owner, Delwar Hossain.
They have condemned law enforces attack on workers to break an 11-day hunger strike for unpaid salaries and bonuses into the 12-storey factory building at North Badda in the capital Dhaka since July 28, the day before Eid-ul-Fitr.
“The owner should reopen the factories to ensure employment for the jobless workers,” Shahidul Islam Sabuj, finance secretary of Garment Workers Unity Forum, said while addressing at the human chain in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka.
He also said the owner should allow trade unions at every factory to ensure workers’ rights.
Coalition for Humanity organised a human chain in front of the Chittagong Press Club demanding government’s interference in realising the just demands of the garment workers, according to the reports.
Meanwhile, apparel workers and leaders could not organise their pre-scheduled demonstration in Savar and Ashulia on Friday as law enforcers did not let them.
A group of workers tried to stage demonstration in Ashulia at 5:00pm but police foiled the programme.
A total of 1,475 workers so far received wage arrears of two months (May and June) from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters' Association (BGMEA) on Thursday, the second day of payment. Tuba Group's total employee count stood at 1,495 in May and 1,458 in June, the BGMEA said.
BBN/SSR/AD-08Aug14-10:21pm (BST)