Garment workers demand ration, other reforms
They also demand allowing formation of trade unions in all factories
The Bangladesh Textile Garment Workers Federation has put forward an eight-point demand, including a ration system for all garment workers.
The demands were presented at a roundtable discussion titled "Interim Government: Ongoing Worker Unrest, Worker Rights, and What We Need to Do" held in Dhaka yesterday.
In a written speech, Mahbubur Rahman Ismail, president of the association said there is a need for a ration card system to provide essential commodities like rice, lentils, and oil at affordable prices to garment workers.
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He also called for a constitutional amendment to guarantee food security for all workers.
Other demands include allowing the formation of trade unions in all garment factories, including in the export processing zones, in line with International Labour Organization conventions, and removing obstacles to trade union registration.
The workers also demanded establishing an "Emergency Health and Safety" fund for workers' health and livelihood security, creating a "universal welfare fund" to support unemployed, disabled, and informal sector workers.
They also demanded setting up a dedicated hospital for workers, and providing adequate compensation, treatment, and rehabilitation for victims of the Tazreen Fashion fire and Rana Plaza building collapse.
Addressing as chief guest, AHM Shafiquzzaman, secretary to the labour and employment ministry, said a high-level committee is being formed to deal with all matters including labour laws.
He also mentioned that a reform commission has been established to suggest necessary changes.
The secretary expressed concerns about the feasibility of some of the workers' demands. "Even if 20% of your demands are fulfilled, it would still be quite significant."
Regarding the ration system, he noted that while 10 lakh cards have been allocated for garment workers through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh, the unions have yet to provide complete lists of workers.
On the issue of wage increases, Shafiquzzaman said discussions are ongoing but cautioned that a proposed wage increase of Tk35,000 might not be immediately feasible.
The secretary also highlighted the challenges of providing social security to the large workforce. He pointed out that the current social security fund is primarily funded by employers and that the coverage is limited. "This list currently contains 450 companies. It should be 4,500."
