Bangladeshi workers demonstrate for safety

In this undated photo workers are seen busy at a national housing programme project called Bismaya New City Project in Baghdad of Iraq. Photo taken from bismayah.org

Several hundreds of Bangladeshi workers in Baghdad, the capital of troubled-torn Iraq, today went on a work abstention protesting what they said assault and harassment of a fellow and lack of security at work place.

Iraqi police arrested Saiful from Bismaya New City Project area on Thursday and released him yesterday, one of the demonstrators told The Daily Star today.

Saiful is a Bangladeshi citizen who works as Imam at a mosque for the workers of Hanwha Engineering and Construction.

Few hundred workers of the factory are now seeking the help of Bangladesh Embassy in Baghdad for returning home, Khondaker Showkat Hossain, secretary to the expatriates welfare and overseas employment ministry, said while talking to our reporter.

Around 4,000 Bangladeshis are now working at the factory located at South Baghdad, the secretary said.

In this undated photo workers are seen busy at a national housing programme project called Bismaya New City Project in Baghdad of Iraq. Photo taken from bismayah.org

The Bangladesh embassy in Baghdad however informed the secretary that few vested people are trying to make it an issue to gain profit, Hossain added.

The same company has accepted resignation of 27 workers as more than 100 decided to resign on ‘security ground’ due to Iraq’s severe internal conflict.