Tusuka Group fires 239 workers over Gazipur strike

Apparel manufacturer Tusuka Group has fired 239 workers of its six factories in Gazipur for their alleged involvement in a strike.

The authorities posted a list of the workers who were sacked at the entrances on Thursday morning.

In this regard, Tarek Hasan, director of Tusuka Group, said they were laid off on charge of creating unrest and vandalism in the factories.

The decision was taken following the rules of the Labour Act and their all outstandings will be paid as per the law.

In the news of laying off, the workers rushed to the factory gates and expressed their anger, claiming many of them were sacked despite having no link to the movement.

“Names of many of us are on the list as people of other factories created chaos,” said a worker.

Another worker named Nazma Akter said, “We want job back and want to do work. We don’t want trouble.”

Saiful Islam, an operator at Tusuka Trowser Ltd, said he was sacked despite not committing any offense and now he is worrying about getting a new job.

Also Read: 6 Gazipur factories closed for indefinite period

Earlier on November 3, the six factories of Tusuka Group - Tusuka Jeans Ltd, Tusuka Trousers Ltd, Tusuka Processing Ltd, Tusuka Packaging Ltd, Tusuka Denim Ltd, and Tusuka Washing Ltd – were closed indefinitely following a worker-led strike.

The group claimed that while workers reported to duty, they soon left their workstations to protest outside the main gate. Despite repeated requests from the management and law enforcement to return to work, some protesters reportedly caused unrest.

The workers said they raised demands regarding attendance bonuses, night-shift pay, tiffin allowances, and other benefits. However, the decision to strike without proper negotiations with the management has stirred controversy.

Aminul Islam/MSU/NMA