Thousands of tannery workers at Tannery Industrial Estate in Savar yesterday demonstrated to realise their basic workplace rights and facilities.They abstained from work for two hours and staged a rally demanding Tk 3,000 interim allowance, a hospital at the estate, a canteen at each factory and housing facility.Under the banner of Tannery Workers Union, more than 3,000 workers carrying red flags in their hands joined the programme. Later, they brought out a procession.The speakers said they have to struggle to cope with the price hike of essential commodities with their poor income.They said their salary is Tk 5,400 to Tk 8,400.Moreover, majority of the workers have to bear more transport fare as they join their workplaces from the capital’s Hazaribagh, said the workers.These costs could be avoided if they had accommodation facilities near the estate, they added.Zafar Mia, a tannery worker, said, “I have to spend Tk 2,200 every month for transport which is unaffordable for me.”ATM Liakot Hossen, another worker and also assistant general secretary of Tannery Workers Union, stressed development of roads, drainage and lighting systems at the estate.Even a little rain causes waterlogging there, he added.Abdul Maleque, general secretary of the union, said an office for their union has to be set up so that they can run their activities.He also demanded an end to termination of workers.The speakers threatened to conduct a tougher movement after Eid-ul-Azha if their demands are not met soon.Abul Kalam Azad, president of Tannery Workers Union, also spoke on the occasion.Shaheen Ahmed, chairman of Bangladesh Tanners Association, said only 50 percent of the tannery factories have been shifted from Dhaka to Savar recently. They will meet the workers’ demands gradually, he added.He, however, did not mention any time period.At the estate, the owners started production at around 90 tanneries where more than 10,000 workers are working.
