Reinstatement of 255 garments workers demanded
They demanded immediate reinstatement of the workers and payment of salary arrears to the workers. They also sought intervention of the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza) in this regard.
The National Garments Workers Federation and the National Garments Workers Welfare Federation organised the protest and a rally at Muktangan.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Leaders of the 11 Party, Left Democratic Front, Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad, Garments Sramik Oikya Parishad and Jatiya Sramik Federation expressed solidarity with the garments workers at the programme.
They also protested the repression of workers at the factory and dissolution of the committee of labour representatives.
They threatened to lay a siege to the Prime Minister's office and the Bepza office if the demands go unheeded.
President of the National Garments Workers Federation Sahida Sarkar presided over the rally.
Meanwhile, the National Garments Workers Welfare Federation at a press conference yesterday placed its five-point demand, including declaration of a minimum wage of Tk 2,500 for the workers.
The federation leaders said the salary of the garments workers remains the same for the last 12 years while the salary of ministers and bureaucrats have doubled.
The workers have been suffering severe economic hardship as prices of essentials have increased several folds, they said and threatened to launch tough movement across the country to press home their demand.
The Bangladesh Garment Workers Trade Union Centre also held a rally at Muktangon demanding payment of Eid bonus and salary arrears before October 20.
While the family members of the workers are starving, owners of the most factories are busy with Eid shopping abroad, said the union leaders.
Presided over by Trade Union President Idris Ali, it was addressed by Ruhul Amin, Sadequr Rahman Shamim, Hafizul Islam, Sohel Rana and Iqbal Hossain.