Rights organisations at a press conference on Saturday demanded dearness allowance (DA), rationing and dormitory for garment workers in the next budget for the fiscal year 2016-17 due to skyrocketing prices of essentials. National Garments Sramik Jote, Bangladesh Sangjukto Garments Sramik Federation, Bangladesh Poshak Shilpo Sramik Federation and Gonotantrik Garments Sramik Karmochari Federation organised the press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city, said a press release. The leaders of the organisations have also criticised the government for recent price hike of essentials and placed their 3-point demand.President of Bangladesh Poshak Shilpo Federation Md Touhidur Rahman in a written statement said the prices of essentials have shot up ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. Prices of many essentials went beyond the buying capacity of the garment workers as the government has failed to curb anomalies in the market. The government has provided the garment owners with all facilities, the statement said, adding that they (garment owners) are getting loan at low interest. But 4.5 million workers, who make a US$ 28 billion export annually, are struggling to maintain his/her family, it said. They demanded 50 per cent dearness allowance (DA) with effect from January 2016 which would be given as arrears until the new pay scale is declared, the release said. The unions demanded introduction of rationing system. They demanded 30 kg rice, 15 kg flour, 5 litre edible oil, 5 kg pulses and 2 kg skimmed milk as monthly ration. Due to unusual hike in house rents, the government must establish dormitories for the garment workers, they said. Among others, Alamgir Rony, Mahatab Uddin Shahid, Md Bajlur Rahman Babu, Tahmina Rahman, Rafiqul Islam, Abdul Malek and Ashraf Sarker spoke at the press conference.
