For the previous three months, workers from three garment manufacturing companies—TNZ Apparels, Apparel Plus Eco, and Apparel Art—have been demonstrating at Shrom Bhaban in Dhaka, demanding payment. The Bangladesh garment workers protest payments have highlighted ongoing issues regarding wages and benefits.
The workers have expressed worry over the ongoing breaches of trilateral contracts set up to resolve salary and benefit conflicts between factory owners, laborers, and government agencies connected to these three industrial divisions. Local news source The Financial Express claims the workers’ unpaid salaries netted them a little over Tk10 million; an official release verifies a Tk10.5 million distribution.
By comparison, The Business Standard (TBS) reported that employees at these three textile factories said they are owed roughly Tk177.8 million in outstanding salary, bonuses, and other benefits, but only got a total payment of Tk10.5 million on March 27. The study shows that employees at TNZ Apparels are waiting for more than Tk69.4 million for their February and March salaries, in addition to more than Tk16.9 million set aside for Eid bonuses.
Moreover, 826 Apparel Eco Plus employees are due approximately Tk67.5 million total, comprising wages from January to March, Eid bonuses, and other financial rights. For its 240 employees throughout the three-month period, Apparel Art owes Tk20.4 million in pay, Eid bonuses, and allowances.
Workers from TNZ Group have voiced unhappiness with the government’s handling of their pay concerns, as the Bangladesh garment workers protest payments continue. TBS reported TNZ employees saying, “The government ignores our peaceful protests day after day even as it calls our protests ‘incitement.’ Our deeds will continue if we do not get our dues, including the Eid bonus. Should our payments remain unpaid before Eid, we could intensify our requests, even involving the chief advisor.”
The Financial Express stated that during a meeting with labor and employment secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman at Shrom Bhaban, the company decided to arrange payments by selling some of its machinery. Shahidul Islam, a cutting operator at TNZ Apparels, underlined that unless all payments due are completed, workers will carry on their demonstrations.
The labor secretary noted plans to have another meeting on April 8 after the Eid vacations to address the concerns surrounding TNZ Group. Just Style’s inquiry for comment has gone unanswered as of press time for both TNZ Apparels and The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
BGMEA statistics, however, TBS noted, show that of the 2,107 operating factories—1,769 in Dhaka and 338 in Chattogram—nearly all had finished February salary payments. Of these factories, 99.53% have paid February wages, while 83.20% have paid March wages either in full or in part.
As Eid draws near, 94.78% of factories have also given their staff bonuses. According to the data, just 0.47% are still finalizing February wage payments; 149 firms still need to address March overdue wage obligations, either partially or completely. The ongoing situation underscores the urgency of the Bangladesh garment workers protest payments and the need for resolution.
