BGIWF demands salary, Eid bonus to be cleared by 8 May

Leaders and members of Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation (BGIWF) have celebrated May Day by staging a symbolic demo at 11 am today at Mirpur-12 in the capital.

Speakers at the event demanded that all workers in the garment industry must be paid due wages, overtime pay and Eid bonuses by the 25th Ramadan (8 May), says a press release.

The demonstration was led by MdTouhidur Rahman, president of the federation and former secretary-general of IndustriAll Bangladesh Council (IBC).

BGIWF General Secretary Tahmina Rahman presented a six-point demand at the event.

According to the press release, the six-point demands raised are-

• All workers must be vaccinated on a priority basis.
• Ensure living wages for garment workers and take initiatives to increase productivity.
• Authorities concerned, including the government, have to play effective roles to ensure a safe workplace free from all sorts of harassment and torture.
• The government has to sign the ILO Convention-190 immediately.
• Maternity leave should be extended to 6 months.
• Workers must be paid risk-allowance in return for work during a global pandemic. Moreover, all claims for medical and death compensation must be paid under the provision of the loss of earnings.

Among others, BGIWF Vice President Sirajul Islam, Deputy General Secretary Latifa Akhter, Deputy General Secretary Shaheen Mia, Organising Secretary Md Ali (Ohidul), Education and Research Affairs Secretary Amena Akhter Sumi, Women's Affairs Secretary Fauzia Begum Tania, Secretary for Healthand SecurityRozina Akhter, Publicity SecretaryAbdur Rahman, and Assistant Publicity Secretary MdDulal were present.