Garment Workers Federation raises 15 demands, including payment of wages in 7 days
The National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF) has outlined 15 demands, including the payment of salaries and allowances in all factories within seven working days.
The federation, during a press conference at the National Press Club today (15 September), also called for the immediate punishment of those responsible for the killing of 11 garment workers, including eight of their members.
“During the student movement, 800 people lost their lives, including 200 garment workers,” Amirul Haque Amin, the president of NGWF, claimed.
He further said, “Since 2 September, workers in Ashulia, Gazipur, Tongi, Kaliakair, Chandra, Narsingdi, and Narayanganj industrial areas have been protesting for wage increases including other demands.
“Incidents of factory vandalism, arson, and attacks have occurred in some places. We have seen outsiders creating chaos in the industrial areas in the name of labour protests. We urge our garment worker brothers and sisters to refrain from violence,” he added.
Other key demands include ensuring adequate compensation and rehabilitation for the families of the deceased federation members and workers, the immediate withdrawal of 43 false cases filed against 20,000 garment workers during the recent wage protests, stopping the illegal blacklisting of workers, and cancelling all previous blacklists.
They further called for the immediate introduction of a rationing system for 42 lakh garment workers and other low-income employees, expedited resolution of labour court cases, and the reform of existing labour laws and regulations in Bangladesh in accordance with ILO Conventions 87 and 98.
