RMG workers
RMG workers go on rampage in Gazipur; Bus torched
Garment workers set a bus on fire and vandalized 10 others in Gazipur following a road crash that left one of their fellows injured on Tuesday.
According to the workers and locals, Monir Hossain, an electrician of Alif Casual Garment factory in Choydana area, was seriously injured after being hit by a bus at around 2pm while crossing the highway.
He was first sent to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College and Hospital (STAMC) and then shifted to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) for better treatment.
Read: TCB goods recovered from Gazipur market godown; trader arrested
Enraged by the accident, garment workers took the highway and set a bus bus of ‘Shoukhin Paribahan’ afire and vandalized at least 10 buses on the highway.
Steps sought for re-skilling, upskilling of RMG workers to face 4IR challenges
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has requested the Ministry of Labour and Employment to consider ways of how the central fund could be effectively used to ensure more welfare of garment workers.
Leaders of BGMEA led by President Faruque Hassan met Ehsan-E-Elahi, secretary, the Ministry of Labour and Employment at the secretariat on Tuesday and discussed relevant issues.
Read:BGMEA urges govt to speed up airport dev projects
BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim and Vice President Miran Ali were also present at the meeting.
They had discussion on the overall situation of the RMG industry including workplace safety, workers’ welfare and skills development.
The BGMEA leaders thanked the government for providing support in carrying out skills development programs for the RMG industry.
Read: BGMEA calls for urgently fixing inoperative scanners at airport
They also stressed on the need for taking more initiatives to equip garment workers and employees with re-skilling, upskilling and knowledge to cope up with changing trends in the global apparel industry, especially brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
RMG workers block Dhaka-Mymensingh highway demanding arrears
Traffic movement on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway remained suspended since Sunday morning as the workers of two readymade garment factories put barricade on the highway demanding payment of their dues.
The workers of Interlink Apparels factory in Maleker Bari area and another in Bhogra in the city corporation area found the gates of the factories shut in the morning.
Read:Oil tanker fire: missing worker’s body found on Karnaphuli river
Workers said said the authorities were scheduled to pay the salaries of the previous month today.
KiK collaborates with BGMEA to finance vaccines for RMG workers
Renowned German brand KiK has donated to purchase Covid-19 vaccines for garment workers in Bangladesh.
The donation was made through BGMEA which will be forwarded to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as the government is responsible for procuring and administering vaccines.
The donation comes as part of KiK’s social responsibility as a long-standing partner of the garment industry in Bangladesh.
In addition to sourcing garments, KiK has been involved with social projects in Bangladesh for many years and established a number of charitable organizations like schools and medical stations.
"As a result of our many years of close cooperation, we became very aware of the impact of the Corona pandemic on the country and the garment industry in particular," said Patrick Zahn, CEO KiK, the motivation behind the donation.
READ: BGMEA continues supporting Covid dedicated hospitals
People in this industry work indoors, where they are at increased risk of infections.
"For me, there’s no doubt that vaccination is the best protection against the Corona virus. With our donation, we want to make a contribution to ensure that people in the garment industry in Bangladesh are protected in the best possible way," said the CEO.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan praised the initiative of the German brand.
He said the garment industry serves as the most important pillar of Bangladesh economy and the sector has suffered tremendously from the effects of the COVID pandemic and continues to do so to this day.
"To protect the entire economy of the country, it is crucial that workers and employees in this industry can be offered a vaccine. Thanks to the generous donation of the German company KiK, we are able to procure and vaccinate thousands of RMG workers in Bangladesh."
Earlier, BGMEA requested the government to bring garment workers under vaccination on a priority basis, considering them as frontliners.
As a result, the government of Bangladesh launched the vaccination programme for the RMG workers in July this year which is going on now.
READ: BGMEA, Evercare sign deal on BIG4 Initiative
BGMEA expressed sincere thanks and gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for considering the garment workers under Covid-19 vaccination on a priority basis as they have been doing their jobs amid the pandemic to protect the economy of the country.
Take responsibility for Covid treatment of RMG workers: SKOP to owners
Leaders of the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP), a platform of over a dozen labour rights bodies, on Friday demanded making arrangements for Covid treatment and priority-based vaccination for readymade garment (RMG) workers.
They also demanded proper compensation for the workers in case of Covid death, corona risk allowance and bearing extra-conveyance cost for them.
The SKOP leaders came up with the demands from a demonstration rally held in front of the Jatiya Press Club.
They harshly criticised the irresponsible decision for opening the mills-factories, keeping the public transport suspended.
Read: RMG industry earns global recognition for strides in safety, sustainability: BGMEA
The worker leaders demanded the punishment for the responsible persons who harassed the workers by forcing them to join work suddenly amid the countrywide Covid lockdown.
They claimed that the employers are plotting to cut off wages for the days when the factories were closed due to the Covid lockdown, and also hindering the workers from joining work in many factories. But these efforts will not be tolerated, they warned.
The leaders said any job cut or any curtailment in salary or overtime allowance would not be accepted during the corona period.
Read: Govt urged to protect RMG goods from highway theft
SKOP joint coordinator Shahidullah Chowdhury presided over the rally conducted by Ahsan Habib Bulbul, said a release.
President of Samajtantrik Sramik Front Razequzzaman Ratan, President of Jatiya Sramik Jote Bangladesh Saifuzzaman Badsha, President of Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation Nazma Akter, Convener of Garments Sramik and Shilpa Rokkha Jatiya Moncha Abul Hossain and General Secretary of Bangladesh Trade Union Sangha Chowdhury Ashikul Alam.
Workers’ lives have little value to govt: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that a chaotic situation has been created by reopening RMG factories amid the ongoing lockdown as workers’ lives have no value to the government.
"RMG workers went through extreme sufferings while joining thier jobs. The government has created a messy situation by allowing the workers to go home and again bringing them back to work. Their lives seem to have no value,” he said.
Speaking at a virtual discussion, the BNP leader said the government whimsically allowed the workers to go home amid Covid transmission before Eid-ul-Azha and thus helped spread the virus across the country. “They now asked them to come back amid the lockdown. The workes returned to Dhaka from Mymensingh, Manikganj, Munshiganj and other areas on foot to join their jobs. This is too much.”
Read: Govt deceiving people over Covid vaccines: BNP
Mannan-Nilufar Memorial Foundation arranged the programme, marking the first death anniversary of late BNP vice-chairman and ex-state minister Abdul Mannan.
Fakhrul alleged that the government is least bothered about the sufferings of people and their lives and livelihoods as it is not elected by them.
"This is the high time to stand up against this misrule. We have to stand up against this monstrous regime that has been running the country without public mandate,” he said.
Read: Covid situation turned terrible: BNP
The BNP leader said a truly democratic government must be established to 'restore' people’s rights. "We all have to work together and move forward to make it happens.”
Fakhrul recalled the contributions of Mannan to the country and BNP as an honest and responsible politician.
Mannan, who served as the state minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism from 1991 to 1996, died on August 4 last year at the age of 78.
RMG workers block Dhaka-Sylhet, Dhaka-Chattogram highways demanding salaries
Garment workers blocked the Dhaka-Sylhet and Dhaka-Chattogram highways at Kanchpur in Sonargaon upazila of Narayanganj district on Thursday, demanding that their outstanding salaries be cleared immediately.
Police and witnesses said several hundred workers from Opex and Sinha Group took to the highways around 9:30 am and staged sit-ins there, disrupting traffic.
Read:Govt. assures vaccination for RMG workers on priority basis
The workers said they did not receive their salaries for the last 4-5 months and the authorities concerned have shut down factories without any prior notice.
Besides, they claimed, they did not receive their Eid bonus during Eid-ul-Fitr either.
Read:Clear wages, Eid bonus by May 10: RMG workers
However, a 12-km long tailback has been created on the two major highways till filing of the report 2 pm on Thursday, causing immense sufferings to passengers.
Hafizur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Sonargaon Police Station, said, “Efforts are on to solve the problem and clear the highways.”
Clear wages, Eid bonus by May 10: RMG workers
Garment Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (GSKOP), an alliance of 20 worker associations, on Friday demanded the payment of wages and Eid bonus by May 10.
In a statement, GSKOP joint coordinators -- Abdul Wahed and Karmul Ahsan— alleged that over 30 percent factories did not pay Eid bonus (festival allowance) while more than 75 percent factories are yet to disburse wages for the month of April, though only 5-6 days are left for the Eid-ul Fitr.
They said even though the RMG workers kept apparel factories operational risking their lives amid the Covid-19 pandemic, ‘intelligence reports’ indicate many factories are unlikely to pay the wages and allowances before the Eid.
Also read: Celebrate Eid where you are: PM Hasina
They demanded the payment of wages of April and a basic wage of one month as Eid festival allowance by Monday next (May 10).
The GSKOP leaders also demanded the announcement of at least a seven-day alternative leave for the apparel factory workers when the corona infection will become control.
They said the export earning was US$ 3.13 billion alone last month, but many apparel workers still do not know whether they would be able to celebrate the Eid receiving wages and allowances.
The RMG export earning was US$ 27.95 billion in the 2019-20 fiscal year and US$ 18.40 billion in the first seven months (July-January) of the current fiscal year of 2020-21, according to statistics provided by GSKOP.
Also read: Offer Eid-ul-Fitr prayer at mosques: Govt
The factory owners earlier took loans of Tk 10,500 crore at nominal interest rate from the stimulus fund for the payment of wages and allowances. This time, they sought loans of Tk 10,000 crore again for the payment of workers’ wages and allowances ahead of this Eid, the GSKOP leaders claimed.
This is not true that the factories do not have the capacity to disburse wages and allowances of one-two months though they run business for over 40 years availing of all sorts of facilities from the State, they added.
57pc Rana Plaza survivors remain unemployed: Survey
Nearly 57 percent of the survivors of Rana Plaza have remained unemployed, according to a survey.
Besides, 43 percent of the other survivors have to make a living by changing their work from time to time due to deteriorating physical condition.
Rana Plaza is the deadliest industrial disaster in Bangladesh that left more than 1,100 people, mostly RMG workers, dead in 2013.
According to the survey conducted by ActionAid Bangladesh, the physical health condition of 14 percent survivor is getting worse.
Among them, 58.5 percent are more or less stable, and 27.5 percent are completely stable. Most of the 14 percent survivors reported that they are still bearing with headache, pain in hand and leg and back pain.
In terms of psychosocial health, 12.5 percent are still in trauma in comparison to 10.5 percent survivors last year. Currently 62 percent reported that they are more or less stable, and 25.5 percent have recovered fully compared to 21 percent last year.
A total of 4.5 percent more survivors have improved their mental health than last year.
These findings were disclosed in a virtual dialogue titled ‘COVID-19: Challenges for the Rana Plaza Tragedy Survivors’ on Thursday organised by ActionAid Bangladesh in memory of the 8th year of Rana Plaza tragedy. The survey was conducted among 200 survivors of Rana Plaza collapse.
Also read: HC issues rule on why Rana Plaza owner should not get bail
According to the survey, 43 percent survivors are engaged in various types of wage and self-employment. However, due to the deteriorating physical condition, they have to make a living by changing their work from time to time. The 12 percent survivors have returned to garments with another 12 percent involved in tailoring.
In most households, there is only a single earner whose income is reduced due to the outbreak of COVID-19. A total of 37.5 percent said their household income is between Tk5,001 – 10,300 while 29.5 percent have a household income between Tk10,300 - 15,300.
Majority of survivors have an average expenditure of over Tk10,000 with major costs incurred for food, followed by house-rent, children’s education and treatment.
Around 67 percent participants said that the factories are maintaining the guided procedures when they enter into and stay during the working hour while 33 percent participants expressed that the factories are not offering guided measurements in rolling out safe health and hygiene at the workplace.
Member of Parliament Shirin Akhter stated that, “We have labour laws in our country. If that law is implemented properly, it is possible to gain some benefits to the workers. As well as compensation laws needs to be enacted. Creating an emergency fund makes it easier to get temporary relief from dangers like the Rana Plaza tragedy.”
Also read: 7th anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse today
She said trade unions, employers and the government can work together to create a good working environment, transparency, and accountability in the factories. “If we can confirm all these things, we can say that we’ve been able to bring positive changes by learning from the horrors of the Rana Plaza incident,” she also added.
Shirin Akhter called on the trade unions to negotiate with the RMG owners to see if the incentive announced by the government during COVID-19 is properly allotted to the workers. She also requested the employers to arrange rations for the workers.
Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh s Farah Kabir moderated the function. She said even in eight years, the condition of significant surviving workers is not satisfactory. But the workers are called the oxygen of the economy and development of the country.
“We’ve to come out of the colonial mentality and fulfill the just demands of the workers. Accidents could happen again at any time like Rana Plaza collapse. That is why everyone should be made aware about insurance schemes, self-development skills or special fund formation and emergency activities,” she added.
The Country Director of ILO Country Office for Bangladesh Tuomo Poutiainen said there is a requirement to improve security and governance on labour issues, and this needs institutional change. “We’ve to create a culture of health safety for workers in factories and the government needs to enact legislation to ensure this.’
Also read: Rana Plaza volunteer dies after ‘setting himself on fire’ in Savar
He called for a new way of thinking about social security during COVID-19. And for that Tuomo Poutiainen spoke of creating new jobs by increasing investment in collaboration with the government, industry and workers.
Research Director of Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Khondokar Golam Moazzem said since the Rana Plaza collapse, there has been no positive change in the victims’ lives. Despite some financial assistance, the process of reintegration of injured workers in the formal sector has not been introduced; they have to be brought under reintegration process.
He called for the distribution of free health cards from the Rana Plaza Trust Fund at the upazila level to ensure the medical treatment of the injured workers who have returned to their village homes. He also proposed for the provision of health insurance for the surviving injured workers.
Dr Hameeda Hossain, Convener, Sramik Nirapotta Forum (SNF) called for ensuring the safety of workers by implementing safety committees and insurance schemes.
General Secretary of Somajtantrik Sramik Front Rajekuzzaman Ratan said on an average, about 1,000 workers die in various accidents in our country every year. The National Social Security Project needs to be implemented to ensure security. People should not lose their lives.
Ensure 6 months’ full paid maternity leave for RMG workers: IBC
The IndustriALL Bangladesh Council (IBC) on Sunday demanded six months’ fully paid maternity leave for workers at readymade garment (RMG) factories.