"65 Bangladeshi garment workers in Mauritius spending days without food and shelter", 23 July 2019

Around 65 Bangladeshi garment workers, employed in Mauritius, were deprived of work and salaries for more than three months, and have been spending days without food and shelter.

According to sources, Tex Knits Garment, a ready-made garment factory in Mauritius, did not pay salaries to 180 workers – including 65 Bangladesh workers – for two months, giving the excuse of lack of work orders.

Rasel Ahmed, an employee of Tex Knits Garment... [said] that they used to live in the company’s dormitories, but company authorities had cut off the electricity, and water supply lines, two weeks ago.... 

Rasel... left Bangladesh around three and a half years ago, and has been working in Tex Knit Garment ever since... [He said:] “If Bangladesh High Commission cannot solve the problem, then please send us home, we do not want to die here without food, and shelter.’’

The workers met with the local authorities several times. Local authorities assured them that they would solve the matter, but the workers are yet to receive any payment...

An official of Tex Knits Garment... told that factory authorities promised to give half a month’s salary within a week, and the other half later. However, he declined to comment about salary payments of other overdue months...