10:05 am, Friday, 7 February 2025
Unrest in RMG Sector

Labour leaders urge implementation of workers’ 18-Point demand

Labour leaders on Sunday called for the full implementation of the 18-point demand—a tripartite agreement reached by the government, garment factory owners, and labour representatives aimed at restoring normalcy in major industrial areas.

They also demanded justice for the death of a garment worker and stressed the need to maintain industry stability and ensure ongoing production by preventing the rumours and conspiracies allegedly perpetrated by unscrupulous factory owners.

A group of 20 garment trade unions made their demands at a press conference held on Sunday at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity in the city.

Montu Ghosh, president of the Garment Workers Trade Union Centre, said that some factory owners continue to suppress workers, refusing to pay wages, terminating employees, and filing cases against many of them.

As a result, workers, who have long been deprived of their lawful benefits, labour rights, and the right to unionise, have been compelled to protest and make various demands at different factories, he claimed.

On September 24, the interim government, factory owners, and labour representatives agreed to an 18-point set of demands prepared in response to the protests by workers in various factories, and operations resumed accordingly from September 25.

However, Montu Ghosh alleged that some factory owners have failed to implement the 18-point demands, instead continuing to terminate workers and pursue legal action against them.

He said that the livelihoods of workers in several factories remain uncertain, as some have yet to receive their monthly wages, while others have announced indefinite closures in accordance with labour law provision 13 (1).

Workers are reportedly being subjected to abuse and violence from law enforcement agencies, jhut traders, and hired thugs, resulting in the death of a worker named Kawsar Hossain Khan and injuries to several others, he said.

Montu Ghosh urged for punitive measures against those responsible for Kawsar’s death, including factory owners, as well as proper compensation for the deceased’s family and medical treatment and rehabilitation for the injured.

He also demanded an immediate halt to worker terminations and the prompt payment of all dues, along with full implementation of the 18-point demands.

Labour leaders Amirul Haque Amin, Babul Akhter, Touhidur Rahman, Taslima Akter, and Sadekur Rahman Shamim, among others, were present at the conference.

Meanwhile, a total of 15 factories across various industrial zones remained closed or suspended production on Sunday due to labour protests, as workers either did not report for work or left their workplaces after arriving in the morning, according to industry sources.

Of the 15 factories, 11 are located in Ashulia, three in Mirpur, and one in Gazipur. Two factories in Ashulia are closed in accordance with labour law provision 13 (1), while the others announced holidays.

Workers in different industrial zones, primarily in Ashulia, have been protesting since August 29 over several issues, including increases in attendance allowances, tiffin and night shift payments, non-payment of wages and dues, and calls for wage hikes.

However, industry sources indicated that the labour situation has improved since last Thursday, with only a few remaining issues.

Unrest in RMG Sector

Labour leaders urge implementation of workers’ 18-Point demand

Update Time : 11:42:15 pm, Sunday, 6 October 2024

Labour leaders on Sunday called for the full implementation of the 18-point demand—a tripartite agreement reached by the government, garment factory owners, and labour representatives aimed at restoring normalcy in major industrial areas.

They also demanded justice for the death of a garment worker and stressed the need to maintain industry stability and ensure ongoing production by preventing the rumours and conspiracies allegedly perpetrated by unscrupulous factory owners.

A group of 20 garment trade unions made their demands at a press conference held on Sunday at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity in the city.

Montu Ghosh, president of the Garment Workers Trade Union Centre, said that some factory owners continue to suppress workers, refusing to pay wages, terminating employees, and filing cases against many of them.

As a result, workers, who have long been deprived of their lawful benefits, labour rights, and the right to unionise, have been compelled to protest and make various demands at different factories, he claimed.

On September 24, the interim government, factory owners, and labour representatives agreed to an 18-point set of demands prepared in response to the protests by workers in various factories, and operations resumed accordingly from September 25.

However, Montu Ghosh alleged that some factory owners have failed to implement the 18-point demands, instead continuing to terminate workers and pursue legal action against them.

He said that the livelihoods of workers in several factories remain uncertain, as some have yet to receive their monthly wages, while others have announced indefinite closures in accordance with labour law provision 13 (1).

Workers are reportedly being subjected to abuse and violence from law enforcement agencies, jhut traders, and hired thugs, resulting in the death of a worker named Kawsar Hossain Khan and injuries to several others, he said.

Montu Ghosh urged for punitive measures against those responsible for Kawsar’s death, including factory owners, as well as proper compensation for the deceased’s family and medical treatment and rehabilitation for the injured.

He also demanded an immediate halt to worker terminations and the prompt payment of all dues, along with full implementation of the 18-point demands.

Labour leaders Amirul Haque Amin, Babul Akhter, Touhidur Rahman, Taslima Akter, and Sadekur Rahman Shamim, among others, were present at the conference.

Meanwhile, a total of 15 factories across various industrial zones remained closed or suspended production on Sunday due to labour protests, as workers either did not report for work or left their workplaces after arriving in the morning, according to industry sources.

Of the 15 factories, 11 are located in Ashulia, three in Mirpur, and one in Gazipur. Two factories in Ashulia are closed in accordance with labour law provision 13 (1), while the others announced holidays.

Workers in different industrial zones, primarily in Ashulia, have been protesting since August 29 over several issues, including increases in attendance allowances, tiffin and night shift payments, non-payment of wages and dues, and calls for wage hikes.

However, industry sources indicated that the labour situation has improved since last Thursday, with only a few remaining issues.