Over a year has passed since a Bangladeshi factory collapsed, leaving 1,100 families at least one family member short. Since that time, it seems that things have not gotten much better. In fact, they seem to have gotten worse. Recently, hundreds of garment workers from five factories took to the streets in central Dhaka to protest wages that they claim have gone unpaid.
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Before going back to work, the protestors are demanding to be paid for three months of work, including extra for the Eid holiday. The owner, Delwar Hossain, is currently being held in jail on homicide charges. He has been deemed responsible for the 112 deaths of garment workers who perished in the 2012 fire at Tazreen Fashions factory. He has been in Jail since April, which is when factory worker wages ceased to be paid.
Protesters gathered at the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers’ and Exporters Association Headquarters, trapping the building’s occupants inside. Mushrefa Mishu, head of Bangladesh Garment Sramik Oikya Forum, threatened, as reported by The Hindu Business Line, “The Industries Ministry will also be under workers’ siege if the government fails to act properly.”
Others at the rally exclaimed that they could not enjoy the Eid holiday because they have not been paid. Abullah Bakil, a garment factory protester, said, “The owner should feel the pinch we are bearing without money and food.”
“We have no other option but to stay on the street until we get the salary,” reasoned Mohammad Miraz, another protester.
Bangladesh relies on its garment industry for nearly 70 percent of its product exportation, much of which is sent to the U.S. and Europe. After China, it is the world’s largest producer of textiles.
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