The TNZ Apparels factory in the Mogorkhal area of Gazipur, which had been shut down due to worker unrest, has reopened after 23 days. Workers resumed their duties on Saturday morning (November 16), and the environment at other factories in the district is reportedly normal.
In line with commitments made by the factory authorities and the Ministry of Labour, workers’ wages and allowances were paid on Thursday evening.
The factory authorities confirmed that TNZ Apparels Limited operates five factories in Gazipur’s Mogorkhal area. Workers at these factories had staged several protests and blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway over unpaid wages. Most recently, they blockaded the highway from 9:00 am on Saturday to 10:00 pm on Monday. After the payment of wages on Thursday, a notice was posted at the factory stating that operations would resume on Saturday. As per the notice, workers returned to work on Saturday morning.
Md Hedayetul Haque, Chairman of the TNZ Apparels Group, stated that the overdue wages were paid on Thursday. He also mentioned that some outstanding payments would be cleared by the 30th of this month. “Since Saturday morning, workers have returned to work peacefully. I hope there will be no further issues. I am grateful to the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Adviser Secretary for helping resolve this crisis,” he said.
It is noted that TNZ Apparels’ five factories in Gazipur employ around 6,500 workers. The protests and highway blockade were triggered by demands for unpaid wages.