Sacked workers of Bogra Motors hold 22-hour hunger strike

Ninety-seven workers of Bogra Motors (Pvt) Limited ended a 22-hour hunger strike after district administration and authorities concerned ensured of solving their problems by next Saturday.

The workers went on hunger strike until death protesting dismissal from their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic while they were promised 50 percent salary during the closure.

Bogra Motors (Pvt) Limited is a foundry industry under Bogura BSCIC (Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation) which produces all kinds of motor filters (AIR) for export. The industry was closed on June 14 this year and opened on June 29, said the workers.

Ziaul Haque, deputy commissioner (Bogura) told The Daily Star that they talked to both parties. The authority promised that they will find a solution to this problem next Saturday. Therefore, the workers suspended their hunger strike until next Saturday.

When the coronavirus pandemic started, owners of Bogra Motors shut down the industry and promised to give the workers 50 percent of their monthly salaries during the closure but the authorities only provided a month's salary, the workers who went on hunger strike alleged.

When it opened up again on June 29, many skilled workers who draw better salaries did not get back their jobs, they further added.

Md Ziaul Islam (40), a worker, told The Daily Star, "I worked in this industry for the last 20 years. When coronavirus started, authorities of the industry closed it down promising us 50 percent salary but when it opened, they took in new workers with lower salaries and barred us from entering the factory. I used to get Tk 17,000 per month but after dismissal, I have become a street vendor."

Saiful Islam (60), who worked in the industry for the last 13 years said, "They dismissed us without any negotiation. They did not provide any salary and bonus in the last five months."

Another worker on strike, Tofazzal Hossain (52) showed his valid ID card and said, "Even when we complained to the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments against the authority, they filed a fake case against some of us at the Rajshahi Labour Court saying we are not their workers, about a month and a half back."

The Daily Star had earlier tried to contact the director of the industry Tahmidul Islam Chandon but he did not answer his phone, neither did he reply to any messages.

Md Zahangir Alam, assistant inspector general (deputy) of Bogura region, said after receiving complaints they investigated the matter and found the authorities of the industry had violated the labour act and thus he filed a case against five concerned people at Rajshahi Labour Court.