Most workers unaware of govt's Tk3,000 unemployment allowance for export-oriented industries: Labour leader

Due to lack of publicity, many workers are unaware of a government programme that provides Tk3,000 allowance per month to unemployed and destitute workers of export-oriented industries, Abul Kalam Azad, president of Tannery Workers Union, said Friday (29 March). 

All workers must know about the government programme and inform others, he said at a  community gathering held at ZH Sikder Women's Medical College in Dhaka Friday. The event was organised by Safety and Rights Society (SRS) to create awareness on the issue. 

Speaking on the occasion, Azad said the social protection programme started in 2020 when various mill workers in the country became unemployed due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

This project is being implemented by the government with the help of the European Union.

"But most of the workers are not aware of this due to lack of publicity," he added.

Executive Officer of Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA) Abu Said said the association will provide all kinds of assistance to workers for applying for the allowance.

The cash assistance is given under the "Social Protection Scheme for Unemployed and Destitute Workers" (SPPUDW) programme, implemented by the Department of Labour under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Under the programme, the government is providing financial assistance to eligible workers for a maximum of three months subject to providing valid information and verification.

Sekender Ali Mina, executive director of Safety and Rights Society, said, every worker needs to know about the various social protections of the government.

However, many workers do not know about the benefits of this government's labour welfare fund. So we all should know and inform others about the various benefits of this government," said Mina.