Ctg's Jalil Mills workers demand dues before its handover to army
Tk20.57cr remains outstanding of 1, 073 workers.
Workers of the defunct Jalil Textile Mills in Chattogram's Sitakunda today (7 August) demanded that the government clear their long-pending dues before transferring the factory to the Bangladesh Army for the expansion of the Bangladesh Ordnance Factory.
At a rally in front of the mill gate in Salimpur, leaders of the "Jalil Textile Mills Workers' Union" said no machinery, land or other assets would be allowed to leave the factory until the outstanding dues of 1,073 workers, employees and officials are fully paid.
The protest follows the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs' approval, in principle, on 1 July to transfer the firm's 54.99 acres of land to the army at a symbolic price.
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Union leaders said the Ministry of Textiles and Jute has already directed the Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation to pay the audited dues – including unpaid wages, provident fund, gratuity and other service benefits – before handing over it.
However, they alleged that the authority has yet to implement the directive and is preparing to remove machinery and other assets from the mill.
"We have no objection to the government transferring the mill for a project in the national interest after the workers receive their dues. But until every worker is paid what is legally owed, not a single thread will be allowed to leave this factory," Union President Md Moshi Ud Doula said, warning of tougher protests if the mill is transferred or its assets removed before the dues are cleared.
According to the union, a government-appointed committee and an independent audit by Shafiq Basak & Co found that Tk20.57 crore remained payable to the mill's workers, employees and officials as of 30 June 2012.
The findings were later upheld by a high-level committee led by an additional secretary of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute. The union also said a tripartite agreement signed through the Department of Labour entitles workers to lay-off benefits until all outstanding dues are settled.
The union claimed that more than 375 former workers have died waiting for their dues since the mill shut down.
