Tazreen workers’ march towards labour ministry foiled
The deprived workers will march towards Ganobhaban wearing shrouds on 24 November
Police foiled a demonstration of Tazreen Fashions workers towards the labour ministry on Sunday.
The workers, who were injured in a factory fire incident at Savar eight years ago, have been staging demonstrations in front of the National Press Club to press their three-point demand since 16 September.
Witnesses said police barricaded the procession after it reached near the Secretariat beside the press club.
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The protesting workers then tried to breach the barricade, and police members thwarted their attempt. Later, the protesters held a sit-in there and a five-member delegation led by Zarina Begum was sent to the ministry.
"We did not come to beg. We have come to claim our rights. We contributed to the country's development through our sweat and blood, but still we are being deprived of our right to compensation even after eight years," said Zarina Begum, a labour leader.
"Honourable prime minister, try to understand our plight," she urged.
She declared that the deprived Tazreen Fashions workers will march towards Ganobhaban wearing shrouds on 24 November.
Earlier, on 24 September and 15 November, the injured workers submitted memorandums to the prime minister, BGMEA and the Ministry of Labour.
As their demands have not been met so far, they organised Sunday's march towards the ministry of labour.
Garment Workers' Rights Movement Coordinator Shamim Imam, Garment Sramik Oikya Forum General Secretary Shahidul Islam Sabuj, Garment Sramik Mukti Andolon President Shabnam Hafiz, among others, were present at the procession.
On November 24, 2012, a massive fire raged through Tazreen Fashions Limited in Ashulia on the outskirts of the capital, killing at least 112 workers and injuring more than 200 others.
The blaze, believed to have been caused by a short circuit, was the deadliest factory fire in Bangladesh.
There is no significant progress in the trial of two cases filed for the fire incident even after eight years. Next Tuesday marks the eighth anniversary of the deadly fire incident.
