"454 Bangladeshis in Jordan receive due wages", 3 February 2023

With the help of Bangladesh Embassy in Amman, 454 Bangladeshi garment workers of Achilles Apparel Ltd in Jordan have received their outstanding wages and social security pay.

The embassy’s First Secretary (Labour) Ummay Salma...said, “The Jordanian labour ministry has informed that the workers will be repatriated to Bangladesh starting from Saturday, and their airfare will be covered by the Jordanian ministry.

“For the past eighteen months, embassy representatives negotiated with various ministries and international organisations in Jordan. The country’s authorities have visited Achilles Apparel Ltd several times each month, conducting regular inquiries.”...

‌Achilles Apparel Ltd Machine Operator Md Motahar said, "I have received the money for five years of leave, including six months' arrears of salary and also received social security funds. All our demands have been met.”

Another employee of the company, Karima Akhtar, said, "We have received all our demands. I had some trouble withdrawing money from social security. When informed to Madam Salma, she arranged for the payment. Many of our passports were not valid.

“Madam has arranged the necessary documents for us to return to Bangladesh.”

...Achilles Apparel Ltd faced significant economic losses during the post-Covid period. In November 2022, the company workers in Jordan reported various allegations and irregularities to the Bangladeshi embassy.

The embassy engaged in discussions with the garment authorities, and discussions were held with the Jordanian labour ministry and the trade union.

Later, the garment authorities paid the outstanding wages to the workers. But due to business losses and various irregularities and corruption, the company announced lay off in December 2023.

Since then, efforts have been underway to address workers' outstanding wages, work permits, passport renewals, and arrangements for return to Bangladesh through the Labour Welfare Wing of the Bangladesh Embassy in Jordan.