The workers filed an application to the Department of Labour on Aug 31 seeking permission to form a union. This angered the company and the authorities laid off 322 workers on Sept 11, said ‘Jewel’, who used to work as a supervisor at the factory. The workers also blamed the authorities for not issuing appointment letters, sending them on forced leave, not granting female workers maternity leave and firing them instead, and not granting workers holidays. They sometimes lock up female workers inside the factory and assault them,” said Sultana Begum, a demonstrator. “So we are here to lodge our protests,” said Begum, also President of Green Bangla Garments Workers Federation.

Source: bd News24 September 18, 2017 13:30 UTC