The Bangladesh Private Telecommunication Employees’ Union has placed a 5-point demand, including the immediate rescue of four telecom workers abducted in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The union’s demands are: immediate rescue of all abducted employees alive and in good health, swift identification of the kidnappers and exemplary punishment for them, urgent measures to ensure the security of telecom sector workers in the hill districts, enhanced accountability and supervision of tower maintenance companies, and prompt and sincere action by the Home Ministry, law enforcement agencies, and local administration.
The demands were presented at a press conference held by the union on Monday at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity. Union President Md Maksudur Rahman Rakib addressed the event.
Rakib stated that on April 19 at 11am, Md Ismail Mia and Abro Marma were abducted while working at a Robi tower in Moyubkhali, Manikchhari, Khagrachhari. Similarly, on June 5 at 7pm, Mohammad Suman Islam and Abdur Rahim were kidnapped by armed men while on duty at a Robi tower in Karnaphuli Bazar, Lelang Union, Fatikchhari, Chattogram.
He clarified that the abducted workers were employed under Edotco Bangladesh Ltd and Sarbs Communications Ltd, subcontractors managing Robi Axiata’s network operations.
Rakib accused mobile operators of shirking responsibility by outsourcing permanent and temporary labour.
Joint Secretary of the Labor Court Lawyers’ Society Advocate Shah Alam said, “Mobile companies are illegally hiring contractors for temporary positions.”
Union members suspect the abductions stem from a dispute between a hill-based group and tower maintenance workers. While past incidents were resolved, this time, despite a general diary (GD) being filed, police remain inactive, and mobile companies are delaying action with false assurances.
The union president warned that if the abducted workers are not rescued within 15 days, they will encircle Robi, Sarbs, Edotco, and the Home Ministry.
Others present included General Secretary of the Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation Babul Akter and President of the Banglalink Employees Union Golam Mahmud Sohag, among others.