Worker takes own life in Gazipur factory alleging workplace irregularities

A factory worker has died by suicide after “consuming toxic chemicals” at a facility in Kaliakair Upazila’s Mouchak area in Gazipur, allegedly in protest against workplace irregularities.

The incident occurred in the wee hours of Friday at Montrims Limited, a garment factory under the Mondol Group, according to Kaliakair Police Station Inspector Jobayer, idenfied with a single name.

The worker was taken to Gazipur Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead shortly after arrival.

The deceased, identified as Idris Ali, 23, had been employed in the factory’s carton section and lived in a rented home in the Nishchintapur area with his family, several workers said.

Before his death, Ali made a slurred Facebook post in which he named two factory officials and held them responsible for his decision to end his life.

“I have been working at Montrims Limited of the Mondol Group for a year,” he wrote.

“Some people have been coming for three months and six months. They make them permanent. They don’t make me. The reason is, we work with machines.”

In his post, Ali recounted an incident in which he left work at 6pm, saying he had been unfairly judged for it.

“What crime am I committing? I will end my life for them,” he said.

“They don’t consider people as human beings,” the post continued.

“They think, they are made of gold, we are made of clay. I will die by suicide today. I am suffering a lot due to the Eid rules. People in this world are very cruel. You will help me get justice.”

Police later recovered Ali’s body and sent it to Gazipur Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital for a postmortem examination.

Babu, Ali’s brother-in-law identified with a single name, said the worker had been employed at the factory for a considerable time and expressed frustration that others were granted permanent status while Ali was not.

“The day before he fell sick, he left the factory at 6pm,” Babu said.

“For this, two officials called him the next day and scolded him. He killed himself in grief and anguish.”

When contacted, Anwar Hossain, an administrative officer at Montrims Limited, confirmed the suicide, saying, “A worker in the factory died by suicide by consuming something poisonous.”

Asked for further comment, Anwar disconnected the phone and did not respond to subsequent calls.

Jobayer said authorities would investigate the incident and take legal action.