Bangladesh Private Telecommunication Employees’ Union has issued a five-point demand, including the immediate rescue of four telecom workers who were kidnapped in the Chittagong Hill Tracts(CHT).
The demands of union include: immediate and safe recovery of all abducted workers; swift identification and exemplary punishment of the kidnappers; urgent security measures for telecom personnel operating in the hill tracts; stronger accountability and oversight of tour-operating companies; and prompt, sincere action from the Ministry of Home Affairs and local administration.
At a press conference organised by the union at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Monday, the demands were outlined by union president Md Maksudur Rahman Rakib.
He said that on 19 April at around 11:00am, Md Ismail Mia and Abro Marma were abducted while working at a Robi telecom tower in the Moyubkhali area of Manikchhari upazila in Khagrachhari district. Later, on 5 June at around 7:00pm, Mohammad Suman Islam and Abdur Rahim were kidnapped by armed men while on duty at a Robi tower in the Karnaphuli Bazar area of Lelang union under Fatikchhari police station in Chattogram.
The abducted workers were employed under Edotco Bangladesh Ltd and Serviceness Communication Ltd, both of which operate under mobile operator Robi Axiata, he said.
Maksudur Rahman alleged, “Mobile companies are outsourcing both permanent and temporary workers to avoid taking direct responsibility.”
Also speaking at the press conference, Labour Court Lawyers Society Joint Secretary Advocate Shah Alam said, “These companies have appointed contract workers in temporary positions through third-party services, which is completely illegal.”
Union members believe the kidnappings were triggered by tensions between those involved in tower repair and maintenance and a local hill group. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, which were later resolved through negotiation. However, this time, despite general diaries being filed at the local police stations, law enforcement remains inactive.
The union further alleged that mobile operators are stalling with false promises instead of taking effective action.
“If the abducted workers are not rescued and our demands are not met within 15 days, we will lay siege to the offices of Robi, Serviceness, Edotco Bangladesh, and the Ministry of Home Affairs,” warned the union president.