The permanent closure of two factories -- Unique Washing & Dyeing and Unique Designers Ltd -- in Board Bazar, Gazipur, has left around 1,800 workers anxious and uncertain about their future.
The authorities had decided to permanently shut the factories due to financial difficulties and other challenges, Mohammad Khalilur Rahman, additional superintendent of police of Gazipur Industrial Police, told The Daily Star yesterday.
A settlement on the payment of outstanding wages and other dues was reached at a tripartite meeting between workers and management on Sunday at the office of the Superintendent of Police of Industrial Police-2, Gazipur.
The meeting, chaired by Mohammad Amzad Hossain, superintendent of police of Industrial Police-2, Gazipur, was attended by officials of the Industrial Police, the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), and the Department of Labour. Managing Director Farid Ahmed represented the factory owner, while leaders of various labour federations and worker representatives also took part.
ASP Khalilur Rahman said, "During the tripartite meeting, it was informed that the factory has remained closed since June 16. Following the closure, both parties agreed on several decisions regarding the payment of workers' service benefits, outstanding wages, and other legal entitlements."
Under the agreement, workers will receive the remaining 15 days' wages for April and 18 days' wages for May. Officers and employees will also receive all outstanding salaries.
Workers will be paid notice pay equivalent to 30 days' basic salary and service benefits at the rate of 20 days' basic salary for each year of service. Maternity benefits, accrued leave payments, resignation benefits and money deposited in various funds will also be paid after verification.
All outstanding payments will be settled in a single payment on July 27.
Speaking to The Daily Star yesterday morning, worker Billal Sohag said, "My home is in Sherpur. I was working at this factory while supporting my wife and children. Around 1,800 workers were employed in these two units. With the sudden closure, we have been left stranded."
"I recently enrolled my son in the sixth grade, and now it will be difficult to continue his education. My wife is ill. I do not know what I will do next. We have heard that our dues will be paid on July 27, but we are still worried about whether we will actually receive them."
Shafiul Alam, president of the Gazipur Metropolitan unit of the Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation, told The Daily Star, "The crisis over wages, allowances, and bonuses before Eid was resolved through tripartite discussions. Despite that, the management chose to permanently close the factory instead of resuming operations. As a result, hundreds of long-serving workers have become unemployed at once, and their future has become uncertain."
He added, "The June 21 agreement is not worker-friendly. The overdue benefits and compensation under labour law have not been fully ensured. Consequently, hundreds of workers have been deprived of their rightful entitlements."
