RMG workers block road in Savar
Staff Reporter :
Hundreds of Ready-Made Garment (RMG) workers from a factory staged a protest by blocking the road in Ashulia of Savar on Thursday, demanding their overdue salaries.
The workers, employed at ‘Ethical Garments Limited’ in the Narsinghapur area under Yarpur Union of Ashulia, obstructed the Narsinghpur-Kashimpur road to voice their grievances.
According to sources, the workers arrived at the factory on Thursday morning to find a closure notice posted at the gate, declaring a general holiday for all branches of
Ethical Garments Limited.
This notice prompted the workers to take to the streets in protest. Victimized workers expressed frustration over the habitual delay in salary payments by the factory management.
Despite the scheduled payment for April salaries on Wednesday, the wages were not disbursed. Instead, the closure notice greeted the workers at the factory gate, leading to their protest action.
Admin Manager Belal Hossain of Ethical Garments Limited acknowledged the workers’ demands as reasonable, assuring them that the April salaries would be paid. However, due to financial constraints, the payment could not be arranged on Wednesday as planned, with a new target set for May 21.
Hossain further explained the decision to declare a general holiday on Thursday, citing concerns over potential vandalism and unrest. He reiterated the factory’s commitment to resolving the wage issue and requested understanding from the workers.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Subrata Kumar Saha from Ashulia Industrial Police-1 confirmed that the situation remains under control.
This protest follows a similar demonstration by RMG workers on Kuril Bishwa Road in the capital earlier in the week, where demands for arrears salary resulted in road blockades, causing significant traffic disruptions.
“On Wednesday the agitated workers did not accept the decision of the factory and tried to strike. Later, on Thursday morning, when the workers came to the factory, they prepared for the movement.
Due to fear of factory vandalism, we have declared factory general holiday for the day. The factory authorities will not be able to pay the salary before the next May 21. We are trying to convince the workers.”
