Labour rights bodies seek stop to 'HR violations' in Ashulia
Leaders of an alliance of 12 labour rights bodies yesterday gave a letter to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque demanding a stop to the “human rights violations” occurring through harassment and filing of cases against garment workers over the Ashulia labour unrest.
Workers of 59 factories started a work stoppage on December 11 demanding a minimum monthly wage raise from Tk 5,300 to Tk 16,000.
The factories were shut over fears that the neighbouring ones would also witness demonstrations. They reopened on December 26 following the prime minister's directives.
Meanwhile, several cases were filed against 1,500 unnamed workers and over 1,600 sacked.
“It is a legitimate right of garment workers to demand wage hike but filing of cases against them under the special powers act and code of criminal procedure is irrational,” said one leader, Mushrefa Mishu.
The cases caused panic and many of the workers have gone into hiding, said Mishu, also the president of Garments Sramik Oikya Forum, when Garments Sramik Odhikar Andolon leaders met the NHRC chairman at the latter's office in the capital's BTMC (Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation) Bhaban. The andolon Coordinator Rofiqul Islam Pothik said, “The government and the law enforcement department need to be objective instead of supporting the factory owners.”
He also said ministries concerned “did not take any step” to reach a solution and ensure labour rights.
NHRC Chairman Reazul assured trying “their best” to ensure workers' rights and to organise a meeting with every stakeholder as soon as possible.
An NHRC member, Enamul Hoque Chowdhury, tried to stop Rezaul from talking several times, reasoning they had an “urgent meeting” downstairs with BTMC Chairman Brig Gen Bayezid Sarwar.
When journalists protested attempts to stop the interaction by forces, he threatened complaining to their bosses.
Moreover, an assistant director (complaints, monitoring and mediation), Joydev Chakraborty, threatened to hand one journalist over to police.
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