Tuba group factories shut down

Pointing to labour strikes as an excuse, Delwar Hossain, Owner, Tuba Group has shut down five factories of Tuba Group for an indefinite period. The closure will be effective from June 11 as per the Labour Act 2006, Article 13 (1).

Rendering 1500 people jobless, workers participating in the strike will not receive wages under the clause used for closure. BGMEA, the association of garment industry owners, says that Delwar’s decision is legal, but the labour leaders have termed it unethical. Moshrefa Mishu, Convenor, Tuba Group Workers Action Committee and President, Garments Workers Unity Forum, says that according to the law, if the workers are laid off, the management would have to pay the dues. “We are preparing to file a case with the Labour Court to ensure that the workers receive their dues. We have spoken to lawyers. In the meantime, Tuba workers will continue in their movement.” says Moshrefa. While the management claims that workers resorted to looting and damaging machinery and raw material leading to an “unlawful strike”, Moshrefa maintained workers did not strike unlawfully so the decision to close the factory is illegal.