739 Keya Group workers retrenched from four Gazipur units in a single notice; police deployed at gates

As many as 739 workers and employees of four units of Keya Group in the Jarun area of Konabari, Gazipur, have been laid off in a second round of retrenchment. The dismissal of such a large number of workers and employees through a single notice has sparked strong reaction in the area.

The retrenchment notice was hung at the main gates of the factories at around 10:30pm on Monday (19 October). On Tuesday (20 October) morning, workers crowded in front of the factories to see the list of names of those retrenched.

The retrenched units are Keya Group's Knit Composite Division, Spinning Division, Cotton Division and Keya Yarn Mills Limited.

According to the factory authorities' notice, the units have been under layoff since 6 June because of banking complications and failure to pay gas bills. The layoff period was later extended several times.

The notice, signed by the factory's chairman and managing director, further said that due to banking complications, disconnection of the gas line over unpaid bills and surplus manpower compared to requirements, it was decided to cut production and administrative costs. For that reason, some posts in various sections, departments and divisions were abolished.

According to the notice, the retrenchment of surplus workers and employees takes effect from Tuesday under Section 20 of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006. The notice also stated that the retrenched workers will be paid all their dues in accordance with the law.

Seeing their names on the retrenchment list, several workers expressed anger. One of them said: 'I have worked at this factory for 18 long years. Now, having lost my job, my worry is how I will run my family.'

Abeda Begum had worked at the factory as a cleaner for nearly 19 years. After suddenly losing her job despite spending a long part of her life at Keya Group, she stood in front of the factory gate wiping her tears. She lamented: 'After working for so many years, I have to leave empty-handed in the end.'

Ashrafuzzaman, organising secretary of the central committee of the National Garments Workers Alliance Bangladesh, condemned and protested the retrenchment. He said: 'After five rounds of layoff, 739 workers of Keya Knit Composite have been retrenched in one notice. We strongly condemn and protest this.' He also demanded payment of the workers' unpaid wages along with their fair dues and compensation.

An official of the factory authorities, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that if new workers need to be recruited in the future, retrenched skilled workers will be given priority under Section 21 of the Labour Act, 2006.

Those whose jobs remain intact for now will stay under layoff and will receive their legally entitled benefits.

Sabina Yasmin, manager of Keya Group's human resources department, said all dues of the retrenched workers will be paid in accordance with the labour law.

Mohammad Amjad Hossain, SP of the Gazipur industrial area, said 739 officers and employees of four Keya Group units had been retrenched. Police have been deployed at the main gates of the units to avoid any untoward incident and to keep the law-and-order situation normal.

After this second round of retrenchment, all eyes are now on the payment of the workers' dues. Stakeholders are watching how quickly the dues are paid in accordance with the law and what the future holds for the workers who remain.