RMG workers seek CPB support

Leaders of different garment workers' organisations exchange views with the leaders of the Communist Party of Bangladesh at Muktibhaban in the city yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

"We want to meet all political parties so that all points of the agreement are implemented without any delay," said Bangladesh National Garments Workers Employees League President Sirajul Islam Rony.

The demands included appointment letters and identity cards for workers, provision of eight-hour working a day and overtime for working extra-hour, maternity and other leaves, trade unionism and minimum wage as set by the wage board.

During the meeting at its office in the city, the CPB leaders reiterated their support for their demands and said they had always upheld the rights of the oppressed and marginalised people.

CPB President Manjurul Ahsan Khan said, "Recent uprising in garment factories is only a dress rehearsal for greater awakening of garment workers in the process of realising their due rights."

CPB General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim said due to predatory policies of the successive governments, the garment owners gained disproportionately at the expense of worker's rightful interests.

Bangladesh Apparel Workers Federation President Md Towhidur Rahman said implementation of the demands was supposed to start from July 1, but even the appointment letters and identity cards were not issued so far, let alone other demands.

He alleged that some quarters are now conspiring to lower the minimum wage than Tk 3000 and urged all garment workers to resist the evil design.

Jatiya Garments Sramik Federation General Secretary Amirul Huq Amin, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Garment Sramik Federation President Salahuddin Swapan, Shadhin Bangla Garment Sramik Karmochari Federation President Shamima Nasrin and Bangladesh Garments Sramik Trade Union Kendra General Secretary Ruhul Amin were also present at the meeting.

The RMG leaders will hold similar view-exchanging meeting with Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal on July 20.