A female worker has been accused of dying while working in a garment factory in Sreepur, Gazipur, after she was sick and did not get leave. The deceased worker has been identified as Liza Akhter (26). She worked as a machine operator in a garment factory named Color Co-Limited.

The incident took place on Wednesday (June 24) night at the factory located in Tepirbari area of Telihati Union of Sreepur Upazila.

Colleagues alleged that Liza had repeatedly applied for leave as she was feeling unwell, but she was not given leave. A colleague said that around 5 pm, Liza told the authorities that she was feeling very bad and thought she might die. She even said that she wanted to talk to her two children.

According to the complaint, the supervisor then told her, ‘You are dying, there is no leave.’

Colleagues said that even then Liza had to continue working. At one stage, she fainted and fell to the floor while working. Later in the morning, her colleagues learned of her death.

They had been facing problems for a long time due to complaints from workers, overtime work, mental stress and harassment.

When news of Liza’s death spread, factory workers started a protest on Thursday morning. They blocked the Maona-Barmi regional road to protest the incident and demanded justice for those responsible.

After receiving the news, the police went to the spot and discussed with the workers. Later, the situation normalized around 1 pm.

Sreepur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shahinur Alam said that the cause of Liza Akter’s death is being investigated. The workers’ complaints and protests will also be investigated.