Nilphamari EPZ workers stage protest, place 8-pt demand

A large number of workers of Uttara EPZ stage a sit-in in front of Nilphamari deputy commissioner's office yesterday demanding release of two arrested colleagues and payment of salary as per the government's new pay structure.Photo: STAR

About two thousand workers of Uttara Export Processing Zone (EPZ) at Shangalshi in Nilphamari staged demonstration in front of the deputy commissioner's (DC) office and handed over a memorandum to the DC yesterday demanding realisation of their eight-point charter of demands.
The demands include release of two arrested EPZ workers, stopping indiscriminate termination of workers and payment of salary as per the government's new pay structure.
They also demanded punishment of the officials who did not grant leave to a pregnant woman worker a few days ago. The woman, who had to attend her work at the factory due to refusal of the leave prayer, gave birth to a dead child in the factory toilet a few days ago, the agitating workers said.
The factory officials, however, denied the allegation.
On Saturday night, police arrested EPZ workers Noor Alam, 22, and Motiur Rahman, 26, as security officer of wig factory Evergreen Products Factory (BD) Limited filed a case under Speedy Trial Act on behalf of the factory accusing 11 workers for ransacking the factory, obstructing others to attend work and other charges.
Evergreen Products Factory (BD) Limited authority alleged that on Saturday noon a group of unruly workers from other factories ransacked their factory and obstructed workers to attend work there.
A good number of Uttara EPZ workers, most of them belonging to Uttara Sweater Manufacturing Company Limited, have been conducting their agitation programme since December 13.
During a sit-in in front of the DC office yesterday, the workers demanded immediate solution to their problems in Uttara EPZ, especially Uttara Sweater Manufacturing Company Limited, the biggest factory in the EPZ.
Their eight-point demand also includes reinstatement of terminated worker Omar Faruk, right to enjoy holidays as per government schedule and overtime according to ILO convention.
The agitating workers demanded expulsion of Golam Mostofa, a personal assistant of a high official of Uttara Sweater Manufacturing Company Limited, for harassing workers, especially females.
During the agitation programme, the president of district chamber of commerce and industry reached there. He along with three worker's representatives met the DC at his office where the workers handed over a memorandum.
Deputy Commissioner Zillur Rahman assured helping them to realise their legal demands. He assured that police will not harass innocent workers and he will try so that the arrested workers get bail as soon as possible.
When contacted, the General Manager of Uttara EPZ Hafizur Rahman said, “All factories of Uttara EPZ functioned normally today [Sunday]. A small number of workers staged agitation in front of the DC office. All their legal demands were met and the agitating workers resumed their work.”
A large number of law enforcers including police and Rapid Action Battalion have been deployed in the EPZ area.