Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – The workers of Tuba garments factory staged demonstration in front of their factory at Badda in the capital Dhaka on Saturday to press for the five-point demand including payment of their dues.
Joined by eleven more organisations under the banner of Tuba Group Sramik (workers) Sangram Committee, the agitation programme started in front of Hossain Market in North Badda at 11am (local time).
The agitated workers are seen chanting slogans in favour of their five-point demand.
They said they wanted their dues. It was not their “cup of tea whether Delwar gets bail or not.” “Infact, we do not want him to be freed on bail. We demand canceling his bail.”
They were carrying banners, placards and festoons.
A good number of law enforcers including police equipped with water cannon were deployed in and around the area to avert any untoward situation.
More than 1200 workers of the garment factories of Tuba Group started a ‘fast unto death’ programme on Monday, the eve of the Eid festival, demanding payment of three months’ wages and festival bonus at Badda area in Dhaka.
The Tuba Group failed to pay the dues and festival allowances to its 1,500 employees.
Earlier on Thursday, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said they would make the payments within seven days as they are negotiating with a bank for a loan.
But the workers have been continuing their protest rejecting the BGMEA’s offer.
The group needs BDT 41.4 million for the payments.
Tuba Group workers have been agitating since June over unpaid wages stretching back to May, and last Friday confined two relatives of group chairman and managing director Delwar Hossain within the factory premises demanding immediate payment of their due wages and festival bonus.
Delwar Hossain, managing director of Tuba Group, has been in jail since February in a case filed over the fire at Tazreen Fashions, a concern of the group, in 2012. At least 112 workers were killed in the incident.
Meanwhile, at least 60 workers on hunger strike fell sick. Of them, 10 have been hospitalised.
BBN/SSR/AD-02AuG14-2:11 pm (BST)
