BGMEA: Tuba workers’ payment within 7 days

The authority of  Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has finally announced that the dues and festival bonuses of the demonstrating workers of Tuba Group would be paid by seven days.

BGMEA acting president Mannan Kochi made the announcement while addressing a press conference at the organisation’s city building on Thursday.

He said: “The workers of Tuba group, who are staging hunger strike programme, will get their dues within seven working days.”

Hearing the announcement, the demonstrating workers said BGMEA should made the announcement before Eid.

“What did they get by spoiling our eid celebrations?”

Around 1,200 workers of four garment factories of Tuba Group have been continuing hunger strike programme for the fourth consecutive day in the capital, demanding their unpaid salaries and allowance.

The workers of Tuba Fashions, Bukshan Garments, Tuba Textiles and Mita Design started the programme in the capital’s Badda area on Tuesday morning, the eid day.

At least 70 workers have fallen sick due to the hunger strike on Thursday.

Five of them were admitted to community clinics in critical condition.

The demonstrating workers said they would continue the hunger strike until the dues are paid.

On Tuesday, the workers confined four people, including the mother-in-law of the owner.

Later, they released factory guard Abdul Quddus, owner’s cousin Sohel and his maternal uncle.

Tuba Group failed to pay the dues and festival allowances to its 1,500 employees.

Although the owners had promised to clear the dues by Sunday, the workers did not receive any money despite of waiting in front of the Hossain Market in capital’s Badda area for around five hours.

The workers have been demonstrating in front of the BGMEA building for the last few days demanding dues and Eid bonus.

Owner of Tuba Textiles Delwar Hossain is currently in jail in connection with the Tazreen Fashions fire incident that killed 112 workers in November, 2012.