239 workers of six factories of a group in Konabari area of Gazipur metropolis have been fired. On Thursday morning, the list of the retrenched workers was hung on the factory gate.
Earlier, in the face of the labor movement, the authorities announced the closure of the factories for an indefinite period from November 3.
According to police, workers and local sources, workers of Tusuka Group's Tusuka Jeans, Tusuka Trousers, Tusuka Processing, Tusuka Packaging, Tusuka Denim and Tusuka Washing factories recently protested and went on strike against outsiders for various demands. During this time they beat some officials of the prison.
In this situation, from November 3, the authorities announced the closure of those 6 factories for an indefinite period and hung up the notice. 239 workers were given retrenchment notices on Thursday after a 4-day shutdown due to unrest in the factory. On hearing the news, male and female workers gathered in front of the factory since morning.
At this time they expressed anger. Their complaint is that even though they are not involved in the movement, they have been unfairly dismissed.
Saiful Islam, operator of Tusuka Trouser Limited factory, said, I have no crime. Still I got laid off. Retrenchment messages are given on the mobile phones of the retrenched workers at night. The message also asked the retrenched to take all their dues from the accounts branch of the factory.
Tusuka Group Director Tarek Hasan said that following the government announcement and BGME directives, the salary and allowances of the workers were increased last July. Even so, he joined the movement for additional benefits. Authorities and members of the law and order forces repeatedly called the workers to return to work, but they did not join the work, vandalized the factory and beat up some officials. In this context, those factories were declared closed for an indefinite period. 239 workers have been retrenched as per the provisions of the Labor Act. All their dues have been paid as per labor laws.
Abu Taleb, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Konabari-Kashimpur Zone, Gazipur Industrial Police said, "I have received information about the retrenchment of workers, but I have not been told how many have actually been retrenched."
