Approximately 10,000 employees of S Alam Group, one of Bangladesh's leading industrial conglomerates, are grappling with job losses, leaving them and their families in dire circumstances.
Among them is Mahmud Hasan, an employee of S Alam Power Plant Limited, who shared his heartbreaking story of losing his job amidst wedding preparations.
Mahmud, the sole breadwinner of his family, was informed of the job cuts while on leave for his marriage. "My job was my family's only source of income. Now, after losing it, I don’t know how we will survive. If we are not reinstated, we will have no choice but to face unimaginable hardship," he lamented.
The layoffs have affected employees across nine factories operated by S Alam Group, which were abruptly closed due to an alleged shortage of raw materials. The closures, announced on Tuesday, have left workers and employees uncertain about their future, with no clear timeline for the reopening of the facilities or assurances about continued salary payments.
For many, the sudden job loss has compounded the challenges of an already struggling job market. Employees are now considering returning to their villages, unable to afford the cost of city living without a steady income.
The employees’ plight stems from a prolonged dispute with S Alam Group management. Seven years ago, workers had initiated movements demanding increased salaries and allowances. Although the company initially pacified the workers with promises of pay raises, these promises remain unfulfilled. Instead, the employees now face joblessness.
Factory workers and employees have voiced suspicions about the reasons for the closures. Despite claims of raw material shortages, some insiders have alleged that import facilities remain operational. Additionally, manufactured products are still stocked in the factories, leading employees to speculate on alternative motives for the shutdowns.
In response to the closures, employees have presented a list of 10 demands to S Alam Group management, warning of stricter protest actions if these demands are not met by January 7. Among the demands are clear assurances about salary continuation, reinstatement of jobs, and transparency about the future of the factories.
Several employees have also appealed to the government to mediate the situation, urging authorities to intervene and protect their livelihoods. "We general employees should not bear the consequences of disputes at the upper levels. The government needs to address this issue urgently," one worker stated.
S Alam Group's management has promised to pay employees during the factory closures. However, communication from the higher authorities has been limited and many workers remain unconvinced. Efforts to contact S Alam Group Manager M Hossain Rana for further clarification were unsuccessful.
In the meantime, workers and employees have taken steps to protect factory assets, fearing the unauthorized removal of goods amid the uncertainty.
The sudden closures and the resulting plight of the employees underscore the fragile balance between corporate decisions and workers' rights, leaving thousands of families in a precarious situation as they await resolutions.
