In Bangladesh’s Savar’s Khagan area, over a hundred employees of Panna Textile Limited gathered for a demonstration. Their demands included the rehiring of 300 laid-off workers, settlement of overdue payments, and the immediate reopening of the factory.
As per the accounts of the protesting workers, the factory authorities chose to close the facility on 25th June in observance of Eid holidays. However, prior to the shutdown, the workers’ wages and allowances were not paid, leading to dissatisfaction among the workforce.
In light of this situation, the workers are now demanding that their overdue payments be settled following legal requirements, especially if the factory remains closed for an extended period.
Adding to their grievances, some workers revealed that the factory had taken a sudden decision to terminate around 390 employees between 27th and 29th May, without providing any prior notice. Consequently, these terminated workers were left in a difficult situation, without receiving the dues owed to them by the company.
Rafiqul Islam Sujan, the president of Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation’s central committee, has called for an urgent reopening of the factory and the reinstatement of laid-off workers. Additionally, he emphasised that all outstanding dues should be paid in accordance with the law.
In response to the workers’ claims, Abdur Razzaque, the General Manager of Panna Textile Limited, denied the allegations, stating that they are without merit.
He clarified that only a small number of underage workers, not exceeding 20 or 50 individuals, were dismissed in compliance with orders from the industries ministry.
