The Dhaka Garment Manufacturers’ Wage Increase Workers’ Struggle Council has made six demands, including a bonus equal to wages. One month’s earnings for the upcoming Ramadan Eid. The organization made these demands during a workers’ rally outside the National Press Club on Friday afternoon (January 10).
The Dhaka Garment Manufacturers: The speakers at the event stated that prices for everything are always rising, but incomes are not. Workers will struggle to survive in the current market if their former pay remain unchanged. After working all week, the owners only pay us a portion of our earnings, and they keep the remainder. Our life cannot be sustained on those incomes. They advocated for salary increases in line with market prices.
The speakers also mentioned that laborers are compelled to work 14-16 hours per day, surviving on only two meals of lentils and rice with their families. However, the proprietors do not pay double earnings for overtime in accordance with labor rules. The proprietors operate their firms without respect for labor rules. Although it is written that two festival bonuses, each equal to one month’s salaries, should be distributed every Eid, this is rarely done. Furthermore, salaries are meant to be paid on the 7th of each month, yet they are not being paid on schedule.
During the event, they submitted their six requests, which include:
Set a living wage for local garment workers based on market prices.
Ensure 8 hours of labor and pay twice for overtime.
Give a bonus equal to one month’s earnings on Eid ul-Fitr.
End the illegal and inhumane practice of holding workers hostage while paying their paychecks during Eid.
Ensure that wages are paid by the seventh of each month.
Improve workplace safety, promote job stability, eradicate salary discrimination against female employees, and give sanitary meals and night allowances to night shift workers.
The event was presided over by Ahmed Sujan, Joint Convener of the Dhaka Garment Manufacturers’ Wage Increase Workers’ Struggle Council. Convener Mahbub Alam Hanif attended the occasion, as did members Helal Hossain, Monir Hossain, Dulal, and others.
The Dhaka Garment Manufacturers..
