Garment worker dies during protest over unpaid wages

Hundreds of workers from two garment factories surrounded Srama Bhaban at Bijoy Nagar in the city on Sunday, demanding wage dues and other payments.

During the sit-down strike that started after 11 am, a worker named Al Amin of Stylecraft factory had a stroke and died on the way to the hospital, agitating workers said.

Following the death, workers did not allow anyone to go in or out and blocked officials of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments and Department of Labour officials inside the Srama Bhaban.

Later, at around 9:30 pm, law enforcement agencies, including the Army, held a meeting with the blocked officials and 15 workers' representatives and withdrew the blockade at around 10 pm.

During the meeting, it was decided that five representatives of the workers would hold a meeting with high officials of the labour ministry on Monday at 11 am to discuss the due wages and other payments, Md Khorshed, a labour leader of Sramik Dol, told the FE after the meeting.

Apparel Plus Echo Ltd workers said the factory had not made wage payments since January, and bonuses had also not been paid.

Factory authorities promised to make payments on March 20 but did not, they said.

On the other hand, Stylecraft workers claimed that 14 months' wages remained pending despite repeated commitments.

Munni_fe@yahoo.com