Workers of Opsonin Chemical Industries in Barishal have continued their protest for the fifth consecutive day on Sunday to protest the retrenchment of over 500 employees.
The agitated workers gathered in front of the factory early morning and blocked the road, demanding reinstatement of their jobs.
Workers from other industrial establishments in Barishal also joined the protest in solidarity.
Company authorities said the layoffs were a result of the shutdown of a section of the factory.
The terminated workers allege that the management plans to replace them with new hires at lower wages.
鈥極ur monthly salaries ranged between Tk 12,000 and Tk 16,000. First, we were told to take three days off, and then we received termination letters by post,鈥� one worker said.
鈥榃e鈥檙e struggling to survive with our families. If our jobs are not reinstated, we鈥檒l be left destitute,鈥檋e said.
Monisha Chakraborty, Barishal district coordinator of the Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BASAD) expressed solidarity with the workers.
She said, 鈥楾he dismissal of 500 workers in such an inhumane manner has thrown their families into crisis. Barishal鈥檚 workers are now united in the fight for their rights.鈥�
