Garment labour rights bodies at separate programmes in the capital on Friday called on the factory owners to pay the wage and festival allowances of the workers by Ramadan 20. Garments Sramik Odhikar Andolan, a combine of 12 apparel workers’ right body, Garment Sramik Oikya Forum and Bangladesh Garment Sramik Sanghati held separate rallies in front of National Press Club to press their demands. Garments Sramik Odhikar Andolan leaders said that the garment workers would not able to enjoy the festival if they did not get wages and festival allowances by Ramadan 20. Chaired by labour leader Mushrefa Mishu, the rally was addressed, among others by leaders of the combine Mahbubur Rahman Islamil, Taslima Akher Lima, Rafiqul Islam Pathik, Fakhruddin Kabir, Shabnam Hafiz and Prakash Dutta. Garment Sramik Oikya Forum held a separate rally where its leaders also made the same demand. Chaired by president of the organisation Mushrefa Mishu, the rally was addressed, among others, by its central leaders Shahidul Islam Sabuj, Amena Akter and Mominur Rahman Momin.
Bangladesh Garment Sramik Sanghati also held a rally with its presidient Taslima Akhter Lima in the chair. Leaders of the organisation Hasnine Babu, Dipak Roy and others were also present. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation also formed a human chain at the site of Rana Plaza of Savar, on the outskirts of the capital, on Friday pressing the same demands. BGSSF president Rafiquel Islam Sujan chaired the programme and said that many factories of Savar and Ashulia used to terminate workers ahead of Eid. He said if any worker was terminated, they would go for tougher programme.
