Dhaka: Workers of two garment factories on Thursday demanded payment of all outstanding wages by 10 July.

This was the main demand as workers of Swan Garments (Pvt.) Ltd. And Swan Jeans Ltd. at Mollartek in Uttara staged a rally under the banner of Garment Sramik Trade Union in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka.

Chaired by union president Sadikur Rahman Shamim, adviser of the Garment Sramik Trade Union worker leader Monjurul Ahsan Khan and vice-president Mahabub Alam also spoke on the occasion, among others.

President Sadikur Rahman Shamim said factory owners shut down these two factories last 10 April without prior notice, which he termed completely illegal.

He said as a result more than 1300 workers and their family members in these two factories are living miserable lives.

Demanding owners to pay the salaries for three months from April to June, he said Eid is knocking at the door but workers came out on the streets for their due salaries not for bonuses, while other people are preparing to celebrate Eid.

Monjurul Ahsan Khan said the workers’ demand is completely legal, while those who deprived them of their salaries are violating laws and must be punished.

Speakers also warned if their back-pay is not cleared before Eid, a tougher movement will be waged on the streets.