PM condoles MCA Hamidur’s death

October 21, 1972        

HAMIDUR'S DEATH CONDOLED

The Bangladesh Gono Parishad today condoles the death of MCA Hamidur Rahman of Rajshahi. The members stand in silence for two minutes as a mark of respect to the departed soul. The MCA was killed in a road accident in front of the Assembly building yesterday. In his brief speech Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman recalls Hamidur Rahman's services during the Liberation War. The Pakistan army had destroyed all his properties. He had all through his life fought for economic and political emancipation of the people, says the prime minister.

TANNERY WORKERS CALL ON PM

Representatives of tannery workers and management meet Bangabandhu today at the Gono Bhaban. They assure the prime minister that the workers would resume their work tomorrow.

It may be mentioned that 20 persons were injured when a group of tannery workers clashed with the people of the management in the tannery in the industrial area of Hazaribagh yesterday.

BANGLADESH APPLIES FOR GATT MEMBERSHIP

Bangladesh's application for membership of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade is scheduled to come up for discussion at a meeting of the body's general council on October 25 when a decision on the question is expected to be made.

RIVER TRANSPORT FACES DEADLOCK

With more than 1,000 workers of the five major launch companies, who are on strike since October 18, 1972, about 50 launches went off the various routes seriously disrupting riverine communications in the country and causing hardship for passengers.

The workers have been observing a strike in protest of what they said was "the owners' apathy towards their demands". They are pressing the launch owners to fix the minimum wage of the workers at Tk 135 per month and to pay the prime minister's ad hoc relief, medical facilities and bonus to the workers.

SOURCES: October 22, 1972 issues of Bangladesh Observer, Dainik Bangla and Dainik Ittefaq.