DEPZ workers abstain from work for higher pay
JU Correspondent
Several thousand workers of three factories inside and outside Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) observed work abstention yesterday for realisation of demands including higher overtime bill, timely payment of salary and cancellation of termination of 35 workers.Protesting termination of 35 workers of Honorway Textile, a plant in DEPZ (Old), other workers of the factory began work abstention at 11:00am. Despite repeated requests by authorities at the factory and DEPZ, workers declined to resume production yesterday. Till last Sunday the factory authorities terminated 35 workers after paying their due benefits. The termination orders spell danger for thousands of workers who participated in the recent agitation, workers said. "As laws permit factory authorities to terminate a worker (giving all benefits) without showing any cause, it would be our bad luck if the situation in the factories turns negative," said AZM Azizur Rahman, general manager of DEPZ. Workers of Universe Sweaters Ltd, a factory at Zamgora outside the DEPZ, refrained from work demanding rise in their overtime rates. Terming the existing rate of overtime payment that ranges from Tk 11 to 12 an hour as inadequate, workers warned of not resuming duties until the overtime benefit is raised. Workers of Intraco Sweaters Ltd, a factory adjacent to the DEPZ, also observed work abstention from 11:00am yesterday protesting the authorities' decision to refix the date of salary payment from 10th of the month to 16th, workers said. Earlier on July 8, workers of the factory beat up five officers protesting the decision.
| 
