Bangladesh Trial Report:

Garment workers held a rally in Ashulia, Savar, Dhaka, demanding the formation of a separate wage board for the garment sector, setting the national minimum wage at Tk 30,000, and ensuring a safe working environment, among other demands.

The rally was organised on Friday (May 1) by the Savar-Ashulia-Dhamrai regional branch of the Bangladesh Garment and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre in front of Tazreen Garments at Nischintapur in Ashulia.

Workers from different factories, injured workers, relatives of deceased workers and leaders and activists of workers’ organisations attended the rally.

Speakers said that considering the current market prices and cost of living, it is essential to set wages that enable workers to lead a humane life. They demanded the immediate formation of a separate wage board for the garment sector. They also called for declaring the national minimum wage at Tk 30,000, reopening closed factories, paying workers’ outstanding dues and introducing a three-shift system for jacquard workers.

The rally was chaired by regional branch president Saifullah Al Mamun and moderated by its General Secretary Khairul Mamun Mintu. Former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Ruhin Hossain Prince addressed the rally as the chief guest.

Ruhin Hossain Prince said garment workers, the main driving force of Bangladesh’s economy, are still deprived of fair wages and safe working conditions. Sustainable industrialisation is not possible without ensuring workers’ rights. Preventing workers from exercising their right to form trade unions is contrary to democratic rights.

Kazi Ruhul Amin, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Bangladesh Garment and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre, said improving workers’ living standards would not be possible without coordinated initiatives by employers and the government. To ensure workers’ minimum rights, the wage structure must be reconsidered, labour laws must be reformed and repression must be stopped.

Dipak Shil, Member Secretary of the Youth Committee of the Bangladesh Trade Union Centre, said no industry can be sustained by taking away workers’ right to organise. Free trade union rights must be ensured, and provisions in labour laws that are anti-worker or create opportunities for worker abuse must be repealed.

Jorina Begum, president of the Tazreen Garments Workers’ Compensation Movement Committee, also spoke at the rally. She said many injured workers are still living in inhumane conditions. She demanded rehabilitation and medical treatment for permanently disabled workers, as well as full compensation in accordance with International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.

Nilufa Yasmin, president of the Rana Plaza Deceased and Injured Workers’ Compensation Movement Committee, said many years have passed since the Rana Plaza collapse, yet many workers and their families still have not received justice or adequate support. Unless safe factories are ensured, there will always be a risk of such accidents occurring again.

In addition, Zainal Abedin, president of the Uttara branch of the Bangladesh Garment and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre, demanded an end to dismissal, harassment, repression and the practice of blacklisting workers. He said blacklists are being used to suppress workers’ movements, which amounts to depriving workers of their constitutional rights.