Allow trade unions in garment industries

They said the government is violating the convention of International Labour Organisation by barring the workers to form trade union both in the garment factories and the Export Processing Zones.

The rally was organised by Bangladesh Garment Workers Unity Council (BGWUC) at Muktangon in the city.

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The speakers said the wage of garment workers must be compatible with price-hike of essentials and devaluation of currency.

They demanded implementation of health rule, maternity leave for female garment workers and their service security in line with the Factory Law of 1965 and Factory Rule of 1979.

Shamima Nasreen, member of the central executive committee of the council, alleged that female workers are still subjected to harassment at their workplaces.

"The government and factory owners are dilly-dallying to give the garment workers their legal rights even after two decades," she added.

"Garment workers are not paid their salaries in due time which causes sufferings to them," said Selim Reza, another member of the central executive committee.

The speakers urged a factory owner of Chittagong to pay Tk 2 lakh as compensation to the family members of two female workers who died in accident while on duty on Wednesday.

They also demanded of the factory owners to implement the agreement signed between the council and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

The BGWUC will lay seize to the office of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Establishment on March 18 and threatened to go for tougher agitation if their demands are not met within 90 days.

Presided over by council coordinator Towhidur Rahman, the rally was also addressed by Salahuddin Swapon, Abul Hossain, Quazi Mohammad Ali, Khadija Begum and Arif Chowdhury.