DHAKA: Readymade garment workers’ leaders on Saturday urged nation to render support to Tuba workers’ demand and spread the message of their movement across the country.

They sought the support of the nation at the protest program demanding payments of dues and Eid bonus of workers of five factories of the Tuba Group in front of Tuba garment at Badda area of the city.

Earlier, the protesters have also blocked the one side of Badda-Gulshan road around 11:00am and demanded capital punishment of Tuba Group owner Delwar Hossain in a case over Tazreen Fashions fire.

Expressing solidarity with the workers, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) President Mujahidul Islam Selim went to the spot and said the garment owners are committing genocide by depriving of their workers from arrears.

Among others, Nagarik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said that the total amount of the Tuba workers dues is Tk4 crore which is a very small amount for the owner of the group.

Addressing the programme, Jahangirnagar University Professor Anu Mohammad urged the government to mount pressure on the owner of the Tuba Group and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) so that they meet the demands.

The workers could not go home during the Eid holiday as they did not get three months' arrears and festival bonus.

The day before Eid-ul-Fitr, they began the fast-unto-death.

BDST: 1640 HRS, AUG 02, 2014