Workers Solidarity Group was formed by factory workers who were abruptly laid off as the factory was shut down. More than 800 workers lost their employment and did not get their compensation. 350 workers gathered to campaign for their rights and legal compensation. When the campaign ended, the workers decided to set up their own factory with the principle ‘by workers and for workers’. The workers-owned factory made T-shirts for sale at the same time accepting orders from other factories. There was an effort to collaborate with 4 other sewing groups to set up a sewing cooperative but was not successful due to reduction of orders.
The group encountered liquidity problems and tried to solve by way of cutting wages as well as getting a formal registration so that it can bid for orders. With the pandemic, the group has been hit hard with no new orders coming in. The group then turned to production of fabric masks. Currently the Workers Solidarity Group has 30 members. Products include ready-made garments based on customers’ orders such as t-shirts, polo, gym uniforms, school uniforms, jackets, sportswear, bags etc. The group accepts orders with minimum production of 100 pieces.
