DHAKA: The fate of several thousands workers at Tuba Group, who have been observing fast-unto-death demanding payments of due, has been covered by uncertainty as the workers and the owners seemingly will not reach any negotiation soon.

Agitating workers said they would continue the movement until their due for three months was fully paid whereas the owners said full payment of the due is not possible right now.

Prior to the holy Eid-ul-Fitr, the workers besieged the office of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) at Kawran Bazar in the city.

Following the siege, the garment traders’ highest body sat with State Minister for Labour and Employment Ministry Mujibul Haque Chunnu and decided to pay the workers’ due payment by selling the factory’s floors.

The workers’ fate went under more uncertainty after the owners got no buyer to sell the floor; in addition, no bank agreed to lend money to the factory authorities amid this volatile situation.

Later, BGMEA clearly told no more help is possible by BGMEA though Toba Group is a member of the association.

BGMEA vice president M Shahudullah Azim told banglanews: “BGMEA is not a charity organization, the association itself could try to resolve it in case it was a matter of several lakhs taka but the due amount of Toba Group is Tk6 crore, which is not possible to pay by the BGMEA.”

“We held meetings with almost every authority concerned, but no (positive) result comes, because banks do not want to lend money at all, hence BGMA has nothing to do with it,” added Shahidullah.

A member managing directorial body of Tuba Group told banglanews: “We are wholeheartedly trying to pay the workers’ due, at least of a month.”

Workers’ leader Mosreafa Mishu told banglanews: “We have no problem to hold talks with the factory authorities, but we will not break our fast-unto-death until the workers’ due are fully paid.”

“The excuse of bank loan is not logically accepted at all, they have been doing business for long, they have another fund, our movement is underway and will continue,” Mishu added.

BDST: 1630 HRS, JUL 31, 2014