Ocean Garment Workers Occupy Factory
About 2,000 workers at Ocean Garment factory continued their ongoing strike yesterday by staging a sit-in on the premises of the factory in support of five union leaders facing prosecution for their role in recent protests. … Workers began the sit-in yesterday after rumors spread that the company would move its equipment to another location and hire new workers. Although Ocean Garment administrators denied having any such plans, workers said they would attempt to remain on factory premises through the night-or sleep outside the gates if they were not allowed to stay inside. … The director of the factory, Mamunar Rashid, insisted that the factory would not close. “This is a false plan. How can we move such equipment? We will not close this factory,” he said. The workers have been on strike since Aug. 11, demanding that Ocean Garment fire manager Faruk Ahmad, 38, who is accused of sexual harassment and verbal abuse by eight female workers. …
