Workers allege dismissal of 1,868 employees across seven Savar factories violated provisions of the Bangladesh Labour Act
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Nearly 1,900 workers have been laid off from seven factories of the Al-Muslim Group in Savar, triggering protests along the Dhaka-Aricha Highway amid allegations that labour laws were violated during the process.The 1,868 workers -- including 200 staff members -- were laid off from factories in the Radio Colony and Ulail areas of Savar.Hundreds gathered outside the plants today and later staged demonstrations on the service lane of the Dhaka-Aricha Highway before police persuaded them to disperse. They subsequently held a human chain protest at the Ulail bus stand.Workers and union leaders allege the dismissals breached Section 20 of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, which governs lay-off procedures. Under the law, the most recently recruited employees should be let go first -- a rule workers say was ignored."Despite my long service, I was laid off under Section 20," said Jochhna Begum, who joined the factory as an operator in December 2009."The authorities did not follow labour law and failed to pay my full dues. Had the law been properly applied, I would have received more than Tk 2 lakh, but I was paid only Tk 1.7 lakh."She also said workers are still being required to work overtime, making the claim of insufficient work untrue. “We were laid off on the false pretext of a lack of work,” said Jochhna Begum.Another worker, Sumitra Rani, said she received Tk 85,000 in her bKash account during the Eid holidays, only to later discover she had been dismissed after eight years of service."My dues were not paid in accordance with the labour law. We received less money than we were entitled to," she said.Rafiqul Islam Sujan, president of the Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation, said the law was clearly not followed."Many long-serving employees had also been laid off here," he told The Daily Star, adding that workers were also not paid their full lawful entitlements.Khairul Mamun Mintu, legal secretary of the Bangladesh Garment and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre, pointed to a broader pattern."Workers whose salaries rise due to annual increments and grade promotions are frequently targeted for layoffs. The factory authorities appear to have followed the same bad practice here," he said.Sarwar Hossain, president of the Bangladesh Garments Workers’ Unity Federation, also alleged that layoffs were not carried out in accordance with labour laws.“The authorities selected workers according to their own convenience rather than following legal procedures,” he said, condemning the move.The Al-Muslim Group, however, denied wrongdoing."The layoffs were carried out in accordance with government regulations and company policies," said Md Abu Raihan, the group's deputy general manager for administration, citing a shortage of orders.“In future, when orders increase, those who have been laid off will be given priority for re-employment, God willing,” he said.He further added that all dues had been paid via bKash and pledged to review any outstanding amounts.Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, superintendent of police for Ashulia Industrial Police-1, confirmed the workers had gathered and formed a human chain but said the situation was calm now."We are discussing the matter with the factory authorities," he said.Notably, 1,009 workers from AKM Knitwear Ltd were laid off, along with 73 from Al-Muslim Builders Ltd, 53 from Al-Muslim Apparels Ltd, 69 from Al-Muslim Garments Accessories Ltd, 88 from Al-Muslim Washing Ltd, 47 from Al-Muslim Yarn Dyeing Ltd, and 529 from Pacific Blue (Jeans Wear) Ltd, all concerns of the Al-Muslim Group.
