Members of the National Garments Workers Federation (NGWF) stated that the July uprising, leading to the ouster of the former Awami League government, has not brought about any benefits for workers, and that their sufferings have more or less remained the same.
These remarks were made at a discussion meeting organised by the National Garments Workers Federation’ at the Press Club in the capital on Wednesday morning.
They said, “Though we had hoped for the improvement of the working class after the July uprising, reality has not quite lived up to expectations.” The members stated that they had initially made 52 demands to the interim government but later reduced it to 18.
Yet, none of those demands have been implemented.
Chief guest Abdul Kader Howladar, president of Nationalists Workers’ party, alleged that Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) had made nine-point demands to the interim government, which includes the declaration of a national minimum wage of Tk30,000. In this regard as well the government had failed to act, he added.
Other members of NGWF added, “After Eid-ul-Adha, many workers have been dismissed from their jobs and some of them are being blacklisted.”
With regards to the federation’s achievements, a member said that they have had many successes for workers, including the designation of May Day as a holiday for workers, a guaranteed weekly day off, maternity leave and allowances, safe workplaces, elimination of gender-based discrimination, and trade union rights, among others.
At the beginning of the discussion meeting, prayers were offered to express condolences for the students who had lost their lives in the plane crash at Milestone School and College in the capital on Monday.
President of NGWF Amirul Haque Amin, General Secretary Rafiqul Islam, and other members of the federation were also present at the discussion meeting.