Industrial zones rocked by RMG workers' protests for half the year

The entire first half of the year was marked by intense protests by garment workers in the industrial zones. Starting in June with demands for wage increases, and briefly pausing in July, the protests resumed from August to December with additional demands. As a result, the streets of the Savar-Ashulia industrial areas remained under the control of the workers for most of 2024. While the situation has currently stabilized, workers are planning to resume protests in the second week of January to push for a 9% increment proposal and resolve issues surrounding annual leave payments.

Dissatisfaction is particularly high in smaller factories and those with a larger workforce. This has raised concerns among stakeholders about the possibility of renewed unrest, potentially disrupting the industrial zones' currently stable environment. Authorities claim they will swiftly bring the situation under control if tensions rise again.

Last year's worker movements in Savar-Ashulia included road and highway blockades, human chains, strikes, vandalism, and protest marches. Regular holidays were frequently disrupted, and four workers lost their lives during the demonstrations.

The protests initially started in June with demands for wage increases. While the administration managed to maintain control at that time, the political changes in August led to almost daily protests for five months, including highway blockades and demonstrations. These protests often resulted in clashes, forcing factories to close during the afternoons in September and October, despite opening in the mornings. In late September, workers of Birds Group blocked the Nabinagar-Chandra Highway for 52 consecutive hours over unpaid wages and service benefits. Similarly, workers of Generation Next Limited blocked the Bypile bus stand for 32 hours in late October. On October 23, a clash between police and workers near Bangla Bazar left four workers injured, one of whom later died.

Worker protests continued in November and December, both inside and outside factories. Hundreds of workers from Bashundhara Garments in Savar blocked roads for four hours demanding payment of overdue wages, overtime, and leave allowances.

Although factory owners and organizations like BGMEA and BKMEA agreed to fulfill most of the demands by the end of December, industrial production has not yet returned to normal.

Workers of Sharmin Group in Ashulia presented 20 demands, including reducing discrimination, increasing attendance bonuses, covering costs to transport deceased workers to their hometowns, covering medical expenses for sick workers, and providing maternity leave payments in advance. Similarly, workers of NASA Group in Narsinghapur demanded a 10% annual salary increment and 12 days of Eid holidays, among other demands. Workers of GAB Limited added further demands, including serving beef twice a week, chicken twice a week, and eggs with vegetables twice a week in factory meals. They also requested a day off for common illnesses like fever or headaches, an annual picnic, and job security for at least 10 years.

According to Savar and Ashulia police, 17 cases were filed between June and December in connection with the worker protests. Industrial Police are investigating nine cases, while local police are handling eight. Over 40 individuals have been arrested in connection with these incidents.

Several garment workers, speaking anonymously to Views Bangladesh, said, “We are protesting for our rightful dues. Despite some inconvenience, the general public has supported us. We have families too. After working a month, our maximum salary is 15,000 taka. How can we run a household with that? We also have children’s education expenses, yet wages are often delayed for months. Factory owners don’t seem to struggle like we do.”

Defending their demands for more nutritious meals at factories, they added, “We produce the country’s most valuable export goods. Our needs should be prioritized. Our physical well-being is crucial, which is why we’ve made these demands.”

Superintendent of Police (SP) of Industrial Police-1, Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, stated, “There have been worker protests, and they continue in some places. We have managed to stabilize the situation significantly, and further efforts are underway.”