Letters

Photo: Prabir Das

Nothing to Lose but their Chains
I enjoyed reading the piece. The American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisation (AFL-CIO) has said that the new labour law does not address many key concerns. The ILO has expressed dissatisfaction over limited scope for trade unionism and collective bargaining in the new law. However the ILO hailed the elimination of previous obligations to send to employers the names of union leaders at the time of registration of a trade union. The provision for allowing workers to call on outside experts for advice during collective bargaining was also appreciated by ILO.
You can have the greatest labour law in history, but if it is not implemented, it means nothing to the workers.
Mohammad Rizvi
Azimpur, Dhaka
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I want to thank the writer for this well balanced article. The government must put the welfare of the workers first. We read that our labour minister has lambasted the ILO for saying that the amended law falls short of international standards. Have the ministers of this government gone totally insane?  Does the minister think that he has more credibility than the ILO? We urge the government to wake up and come to its senses. Let me remind them that pride goes for destruction.
Dr Arup Kanti Biswas
Dhannmondi, Dhaka

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Painting Coal Black
The writer deserves our respect for this brave and well balanced article.  It is a blunder to assume that only the rural population are followers of such leaders. Leaders like him have a huge popularity among the so called modern population living in cities. One may argue that most people living in villages have little or no education   and that is why they are easy to fool. But what is the excuse of the people who are 'educated'? I hope articles like these will shed some light into the darkness they live in.
Ayesha Siddiqui
New Eskaton, Dhaka

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A suggestion
I am an avid reader of the Star. Each issue of this magazine gives us new insights into contemporary issues. It also enlightens us through 'Reflections', 'Perspective', 'Chintito', 'Star Diary' and so on.
Every week the Star may publish a profile of a person who has contributed to the development of the society in his or her own way. I believe readers will highly appreciate it.
Md Nurul Amin
Comilla University, Comilla

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Encounters of the Dark Kind
I would like to thank the writer for this well written essay about Chowdhury Mueen Uddin who according to the New York Times played a significant role in the killing of intellectuals prior to the birth of Bangladesh. Mueen went into hiding after Bangladesh won the war. Now he is calling war trial 'a joke' sitting in his safe haven in London. The government must leave no stones unturned for bringing back this criminal and putting him on trial.
Humaira Yasmin
Banani, Dhaka

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Tamarind Theory
Every sane person must have been insulted and outraged by Hefazat chief's derogatory comments about women.
If women stay at home, 75-80 percent of the work in the fields done by household rural females (mostly unpaid) will not be done. Thus, there will be no crops and nothing to feed the MALE child. Shall we then bury the FEMALE child after birth, as done pre-632 AD? Then there will be no one left to bear children. And no religion to HEFAZAT! And what will happen to the families of hundreds of thousands of female garment workers if they are not allowed to work?
Sikander Ahmed
Gulshan-1, Dhaka

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Photo: Zahedul I Khan

Two Good Articles
The last issue of the star magazine was an enlightening one.
Especially the cover story was mind blowing. We get a glimpse of the man, Dwijen Sharma whose name is written in nature.
The special feature by Upashana Salam on "The Writing on the Wall" is a very relevant one. I hope people will respect the exiting laws and regulations regarding this matter.
Sabidin Ibrahim
Via email

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Irregularities at BRTA
BRTA (Bangladesh Road Transport Authority) has issued over 1.5 lakh driving licenses for heavy vehicles since 1997. Last year BRTA reportedly issued about 25000 driving licenses without following proper procedures. The BRTA has so far issued a total of over 11 lakh genuine driving licenses including 2.5 lakh for heavy vehicles. This number includes about one lakh smart machine readable licenses introduced last November. Again, most of these licenses were given by taking bribe and without proper driving test. As a result deaths related to road accidents are increasing every year. The government must take immediate actions to stop these irregularities at BRTA in order to ensure the safety of people.
Md Mushfikur Rahman, Sharmin Khanam, Segupta kabir, Badrul Amin and Sayeeda Razia
East West University, Dhaka

Sunshine on His Shoulders
I appreciate Star for the cover story on prominent naturalist Dwijen Sharma. People like him are assets of our society; a society which lacks love for nature. It was sad to learn that none of his suggestions has been implemented by authorities.
A large part of our new generation is either completely unaware of or utterly indifferent to the sights and sounds of nature. The cover story also talks about scientific spirit, a vital ingredient for an advanced society; a virtue most uncommon among us. Dwijen Sharma is a true example in that regard.
Amio Galib Chowdhury
Department of Physics,
University of Dhaka