Workers of most of the ready-made garment (RMG) units returned to their respective factories on Tuesday after a revision in the latest wage structure for them.The government has revised the minimum pay structure for the RMG workers, increasing the basic pay by Tk 15 to Tk 786 in different grades.However, the workers of at least nine factories observed work abstention on the day.The factories were – Shin Shin Apparels Ltd, Safaa Sweaters Ltd, Ayesha Clothing Co Ltd, Anjuman Garments Pvt Ltd, Donglian Fashion Ltd, FnF Trends Fashion Ltd, GJ Cap and Headwear Ltd, ESKE Clothing Ltd, and Metro Knitting & Dyeing Mills Ltd.The factories are mainly situated in Norshinghapur, Jamgora and Zirabo areas of Savar and some parts of Ashulia.Sources said the workers of these factories came to their workplaces in the morning, but refrained from regular work after punching their ID cards for attendance.Meanwhile, three factories were shut according to the Labour Act, one on the day and the rest two a few days earlier, according to Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE).Al-Ghousia Textiles Ltd, located at Naton Nagar Bazar under Sreepur of Ashulia, was shut on the day.Earlier, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) threatened to shut down the garment units for an indefinite period, if the agitating workers did not join their respective workplaces from Monday.BGMEA President Siddiqur Rahman gave the ultimatum at a press briefing on Sunday.Mr Rahman also said the workers would not get wages, if there is no work. The factories would be shut down for an indefinite period in line with the provision 13(1) of Labour Law.The garment workers demonstrated for over a week, demanding elimination of inequality in the pay-scale, formed last year by the government. During their eight-day agitation, several hundred people, including workers, general commuters and members of law-enforcement agencies, got injured in multiple incidents of clashes.On the third day of demonstration (January 8), the RMG workers clashed with the policemen near Hemayetpur that left Suman Mia, 22, a worker of Anlima Textiles, dead. Meanwhile, the government officials, garment factory owners and workers’ representatives reviewed the situation at an emergency meeting on Tuesday, according to a statement of Ministry of Labour and Employment.Garment workers, who came out from their workplaces after punching ID cards, would not get their wages for the day, State Minister for Labour Monnujan Sufian said at the meeting at her secretariat office in the city.At the meeting, the garment factory owners gave their opinion in favour of strict punitive measures against those, who were involved in vandalism during the recent labour unrest over wage hike.Labour leaders, however, opposed the proposal, saying ‘no work no pay’ policy might be applicable for future. They also agreed in favour of punitive measures against those, who were engaged in vandalism, if their activities to be proved.”We have requested both the government and the apparel makers not to take any punitive measures against innocent workers, and refrain from any suspension or dismissal of workers,” Babul Akhter, a labour leader who attended the meeting, told the FE.He said they also opposed the decision of workers’ non-payment, saying there were mixed incidents, like – announcing holiday and closure over security issues by some factory authorities, while many workers came out once their workplaces were vandalised. Salahuddin Shapon, another labour leader, said they agreed with the non-payment proposal for future.Labour Secretary Afroza Khan, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, and BGMEA President Md Siddiqur Rahman and former presidents Atiqul Islam and A K Azad, among others, were present in the meeting.
