Agami apparels, an Ashulia-based readymade garment factory, was declared closed following worker unrest on January 4, halting its production for an indefinite period.
The sister concern of Dekko Group, owned by M Shahadat Hossain Kiron, issued a notice in this regard on January 7, saying that they were following Section 13/1 of Labour Act. It meant that the workers would not be entitled to receive salary during the factory closure.
The factory has several departments with nearly 5,500 workers and the decision to close the factory took effect from January 8.
Workers said that the factory owner was using the labour law as a tool, and announced the factory closure, raising a minor issue. Now they fear about their December salary, which due date already expired on Monday as per the labour act.
“We came to the factory and saw the notice at the factory gate. We got surprised. While salary is still due and the incident was a trifling matter, why the factory owner announced factory closure?” a worker of the garment factory said.
“The decision will fuel unrest as workers already staged demonstrations,” he added.
Agami Apparels officials, including its Chairman M Shahadat Hossain Kiron, could not be reached over mobile phone for their comments in this regard.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan said, “We came to know that the workers hit the factory officials, and illegally held demonstrations. In that case, our [BGMEA] stance is with the factory.”
“No one has the right to attack anyone or vandalise factory. It’s a crime. But I tried to resolve the issue, and asked the workers to follow new wage structure and join work. Our stand is clear. We have implemented new wage structure, and those who will not agree with this can leave the factory.”
According to BGMEA, factory and worker sources, many senior [in terms of experience] operators, who were on grade 5 in the previous grading system, which converted to grade 3 as per new wage, expected that they will be promoted to grade 2.
But when the factory authority issued December pay slip on January 3, these workers found that they are yet to get promotion, which made them disappointed.
On January 4, the workers observed work abstention inside the factory.
Amid the situation, the factory authority announced leave for the rest of the day, but the workers, especially many female, staged demonstrations inside the factory and took control of the factory gate.
The workers also became involved in an altercation with the factory officials, which turned into scuffle.
Finally, the owner announced the factory closure for an indefinite period.
