Punish killers of Workers. Arrest hooligans and notorious terrorist gong leader Sumon and others responsible for assault, arson and lootings. Release arrested workers and withdraw false cases against workers. Accept the just demands of the workers to ensure industrial peace.
The GSTUK organized a press conference on 1st July 2009 at 11-30 A.M at Progoti Conference Hall of Mukti Bhaban, 2 Comrade Moni Singh Sarak, Dhaka 1000.Bangladesh
The conference was called in the backdrop of killing of two workers of Ashulia adjacent to Capital city Dhaka . The workers of the S.Suhi Industrial Park Ltd were protesting peacefully against dismissal of workers when the Ansar forces (auxiliary police) opened fire on the workers without any provocations. Hundreds of workers were injured and many were arrested. For the last few days a rein of terror has been let loose by police, hired hoodlums of employers and terrorists serving the vested interest..
The Press Conference was presided over by the president of the Organisation Idris Ali. General Secretary Ruhul Amin read out a written statement and Adviser of the organization Advocate Mantu Ghosh, Vice President Sadekur Rahman Shahin, Asst Sec Tuhin Choudhury, office Secretary Joly Talukder, G.S. Ashulia Regional Committee K. M. Mintu,Habibur Rahman,an worker of Opex factory and brother of Mijanur Rahman, worker of S. Suki who was hit by bullet, Selina Khatun, central leader Nasima Akhter, Mamun Khan Joy, Saifulla Al-mamun and other spoke in the conference.
The labour leaders said that the workers of S.Suki Industrial Park Ltd were on peaceful protest against suspension of 3 workers. On 27th June when the workers raised their demands before the AGM they were assaulted by hooligans hired by management. The workers resisted and at one stage Ansar forces inside the factory fired upon the workers on orders of the factory bosses. One worker was killed and several others were injured. The workers then went out of the factory and orgnised protest demonstrations. The processions were also attacked by police and armed hooligans.
On the next day the workers of the whole area numbering hundreds of thousands came out in the street and organized peaceful procession.
Known miscreants and hired hooligans under the protection of police fired upon the workers and another worker were killed and hundreds were injured. The brutal incidents killing and assault of last 2 days created severe unrest and the workers became furious. Several lacs of garment workers work in Ashulia industrial area and adjacent zones..
Leaders explained that during such situations some corrupt ‘jute’ businessmen (buying wastage from garment factories ,usually muscle men) criminal and terrorists, many of whom are involved in extortion from owners of garment factories (Realize huge amount of money from garment owners under duress. Recently several garment owners and business men have been killed by such mafia groups.) use such situations to organise looting and arson and settling scores with opposing groups. This time too these mafia groups created chaos and anarchy.
The leaders reported that on 28th June Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association BGMEA called several leaders of Trade Unions of Garment Workers for a meeting to discuss the situation and find a solution out of the crisis. The leaders attended the meeting and GWTUK leaders requested the employers to invite representatives of workers of Ashulia and S.Suhi factory where the trouble started. At one stage of the discussion Mr. Salam Morshedi President of BGMEA declared that the families of the workers who died will be given a compensation of Taka 3 lacs, Proper treatment for the injured will be ensured, no cases will be instituted against any worker for participating in the movement and no worker will be retrenched. He also declared that a joint delegation of BGMEA and trade union leaders will visit Ashulia and make the announcement to the workers to calm down the situation. GWTUK expressed apprehension and said that it was important to take the workers leaders at the plant level into confidence, particularly because mafia groups were provoking anarchy in the area. But the employer’s leaders insisted.
GWTUK leader informed the press that they went to Ashulia on 29th morning with BGMEA leaders and explained to the workers the declaration made by Mr.Salam Morshedi accepting the demands.
Due to the absence of trade unions at the factory level it was very difficult to convince the workers about the commitments of the employers. It may be noted that in most of the factories the workers are not allowed to form trade unions and any such attempt faces retribution by employers such as dismissal, assault by hooligans and arrest by police. In the absence of trade unions workers grievances cannot be solved by bilateral negotiations and quite often spontaneous outburst take place. More over in the past there were several agreements with the employers but the workers were betrayed in the long run. Workers do not have much confidence on commitments given by employers..
During these meeting mafia groups backed by some big political parties were active and they were organizing brick bating, arson and loot in different places of Ashulia. They also ransacked and set fire to large garment factories belonging to Hamim Group.
The worker leader expressed surprise at the accusations made in certain sections of the press that the garment workers set fire to those factories. The leaders stated in the press conference that the owner of Hamin group Mr. A.K Azad in a public statement said that no worker was involved in the arson and attack. The owner said that it was a pre planned conspiracy of a vested interest group who organized the attack. An official of the factory who was present at the place of occurrence also complained of the connivance of police with the criminals who ransacked the factory. He alleged that the police was simple onlooker and even the fire brigade was obstructed and delayed.
Addressing the press conference the workers leaders complained that various party terrorists and mafia group are involved in criminal activities in the industrial area, They also fight with each other to gain control in the area. A notorious mafia boss Sumon belonging to the present ruling party who is also in jute(waste product of garment factory) business has created a rein of terror in the whole zone along with his groups and is now going around with open arms and beating up trade union activist. They are going to the houses of TU activists and threatening their families. Sumon and gong kidnapped Helal worker of PM Fashion Garments, tortured him physically and handed him over to police. Police raided several times the residence of Tuhin Choudhury and K. M Mintu President and General Secretary of Ashulia Regional Committee of GSWTUK, threatened their wives and relatives and ceased hand mike, booklets, D-forms for TU membership, worker Bi-weekly Sramik Awaj and other documents. Police also asked their family member to leave the area immediately. They also threatened that if they do not leave the area soon they will be killed in so called crossfire. Extra judicial killing in Bangladesh is commonly called ‘cross fire’. More than a thousand people have been killed by Army and Police personnel in utter violation of fundamental human rights.After such killings as a routine press notes are issued claiming that a person under custody while being escorted by law and order forces to identify bases or dens of criminals tried to run away and was killed in cross fires.
Tuhin Choudhury a popular workers leader was beaten up and his mobile and money were snatched away. The notorious Sumon waving fire arms at Jampara Road crossing announced publicly that he will kill Tuhin, Mintu and hundreds of TU activists.
The speakers complained that all these things were happening in open day light before the eyes of Police and Government authorities. They also expressed surprise that in certain news papers there were reports that the trade union leaders provoked the chaos and they even quoted intelligence reports. The TU leaders said that it is evident that the mafia groups have questionable relationship with law enforcing agencies, administration and local political elites.
The workers leaders expressed satisfaction that several newspapers were objective in their reporting and informed the readers of the fact that GSTUK leaders tried their best and even risked their life to bring peace and save the factories from the attack of hooligans. The workers resisted armed gangs when the miscreants ransacked the factories.
The leaders of GSTUK demanded immediate arrest of Sumona Bhuian and gong responsible for anarchy in the region and repression on workers.
Arrest of killers and ensure exemplary punishment.
Immediate implementation of the declaration made by the President of BGMEA
The leaders said that the workers, industry and the countries interests are interdependent. None of them can be saved at the cost of others.
They called upon all workers, employers and the government as well as local people and political forces to unite and work for peace in the industrial area and oppose the forces of anarchy and plunder. They also reiterated that the right to form trade unions guaranteed by law, tripartite agreements and ILO conventions ratified by Bangladesh Government, should be duly honored by Garment owners. The trade unions can play a positive role in settling labour disputes peacefully and avoiding sudden outbursts and unrest which hamper production and industrial peace.The garment owners and the Government must realize that it is due to the absence of trade unions that such workers unrest flares up so often.The Gvt. should also take stern measures against mafia groups involved in looting and arson, irrespective of their political affiliation
The GWTUK leaders also called upon all inside and outside the country to come forward in solidarity to garment workers.
The GSTUK organized a press conference on 1st July 2009 at 11-30 A.M at Progoti Conference Hall of Mukti Bhaban, 2 Comrade Moni Singh Sarak, Dhaka 1000.Bangladesh
The conference was called in the backdrop of killing of two workers of Ashulia adjacent to Capital city Dhaka . The workers of the S.Suhi Industrial Park Ltd were protesting peacefully against dismissal of workers when the Ansar forces (auxiliary police) opened fire on the workers without any provocations. Hundreds of workers were injured and many were arrested. For the last few days a rein of terror has been let loose by police, hired hoodlums of employers and terrorists serving the vested interest..
The Press Conference was presided over by the president of the Organisation Idris Ali. General Secretary Ruhul Amin read out a written statement and Adviser of the organization Advocate Mantu Ghosh, Vice President Sadekur Rahman Shahin, Asst Sec Tuhin Choudhury, office Secretary Joly Talukder, G.S. Ashulia Regional Committee K. M. Mintu,Habibur Rahman,an worker of Opex factory and brother of Mijanur Rahman, worker of S. Suki who was hit by bullet, Selina Khatun, central leader Nasima Akhter, Mamun Khan Joy, Saifulla Al-mamun and other spoke in the conference.
The labour leaders said that the workers of S.Suki Industrial Park Ltd were on peaceful protest against suspension of 3 workers. On 27th June when the workers raised their demands before the AGM they were assaulted by hooligans hired by management. The workers resisted and at one stage Ansar forces inside the factory fired upon the workers on orders of the factory bosses. One worker was killed and several others were injured. The workers then went out of the factory and orgnised protest demonstrations. The processions were also attacked by police and armed hooligans.
On the next day the workers of the whole area numbering hundreds of thousands came out in the street and organized peaceful procession.
Known miscreants and hired hooligans under the protection of police fired upon the workers and another worker were killed and hundreds were injured. The brutal incidents killing and assault of last 2 days created severe unrest and the workers became furious. Several lacs of garment workers work in Ashulia industrial area and adjacent zones..
Leaders explained that during such situations some corrupt ‘jute’ businessmen (buying wastage from garment factories ,usually muscle men) criminal and terrorists, many of whom are involved in extortion from owners of garment factories (Realize huge amount of money from garment owners under duress. Recently several garment owners and business men have been killed by such mafia groups.) use such situations to organise looting and arson and settling scores with opposing groups. This time too these mafia groups created chaos and anarchy.
The leaders reported that on 28th June Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association BGMEA called several leaders of Trade Unions of Garment Workers for a meeting to discuss the situation and find a solution out of the crisis. The leaders attended the meeting and GWTUK leaders requested the employers to invite representatives of workers of Ashulia and S.Suhi factory where the trouble started. At one stage of the discussion Mr. Salam Morshedi President of BGMEA declared that the families of the workers who died will be given a compensation of Taka 3 lacs, Proper treatment for the injured will be ensured, no cases will be instituted against any worker for participating in the movement and no worker will be retrenched. He also declared that a joint delegation of BGMEA and trade union leaders will visit Ashulia and make the announcement to the workers to calm down the situation. GWTUK expressed apprehension and said that it was important to take the workers leaders at the plant level into confidence, particularly because mafia groups were provoking anarchy in the area. But the employer’s leaders insisted.
GWTUK leader informed the press that they went to Ashulia on 29th morning with BGMEA leaders and explained to the workers the declaration made by Mr.Salam Morshedi accepting the demands.
Due to the absence of trade unions at the factory level it was very difficult to convince the workers about the commitments of the employers. It may be noted that in most of the factories the workers are not allowed to form trade unions and any such attempt faces retribution by employers such as dismissal, assault by hooligans and arrest by police. In the absence of trade unions workers grievances cannot be solved by bilateral negotiations and quite often spontaneous outburst take place. More over in the past there were several agreements with the employers but the workers were betrayed in the long run. Workers do not have much confidence on commitments given by employers..
During these meeting mafia groups backed by some big political parties were active and they were organizing brick bating, arson and loot in different places of Ashulia. They also ransacked and set fire to large garment factories belonging to Hamim Group.
The worker leader expressed surprise at the accusations made in certain sections of the press that the garment workers set fire to those factories. The leaders stated in the press conference that the owner of Hamin group Mr. A.K Azad in a public statement said that no worker was involved in the arson and attack. The owner said that it was a pre planned conspiracy of a vested interest group who organized the attack. An official of the factory who was present at the place of occurrence also complained of the connivance of police with the criminals who ransacked the factory. He alleged that the police was simple onlooker and even the fire brigade was obstructed and delayed.
Addressing the press conference the workers leaders complained that various party terrorists and mafia group are involved in criminal activities in the industrial area, They also fight with each other to gain control in the area. A notorious mafia boss Sumon belonging to the present ruling party who is also in jute(waste product of garment factory) business has created a rein of terror in the whole zone along with his groups and is now going around with open arms and beating up trade union activist. They are going to the houses of TU activists and threatening their families. Sumon and gong kidnapped Helal worker of PM Fashion Garments, tortured him physically and handed him over to police. Police raided several times the residence of Tuhin Choudhury and K. M Mintu President and General Secretary of Ashulia Regional Committee of GSWTUK, threatened their wives and relatives and ceased hand mike, booklets, D-forms for TU membership, worker Bi-weekly Sramik Awaj and other documents. Police also asked their family member to leave the area immediately. They also threatened that if they do not leave the area soon they will be killed in so called crossfire. Extra judicial killing in Bangladesh is commonly called ‘cross fire’. More than a thousand people have been killed by Army and Police personnel in utter violation of fundamental human rights.After such killings as a routine press notes are issued claiming that a person under custody while being escorted by law and order forces to identify bases or dens of criminals tried to run away and was killed in cross fires.
Tuhin Choudhury a popular workers leader was beaten up and his mobile and money were snatched away. The notorious Sumon waving fire arms at Jampara Road crossing announced publicly that he will kill Tuhin, Mintu and hundreds of TU activists.
The speakers complained that all these things were happening in open day light before the eyes of Police and Government authorities. They also expressed surprise that in certain news papers there were reports that the trade union leaders provoked the chaos and they even quoted intelligence reports. The TU leaders said that it is evident that the mafia groups have questionable relationship with law enforcing agencies, administration and local political elites.
The workers leaders expressed satisfaction that several newspapers were objective in their reporting and informed the readers of the fact that GSTUK leaders tried their best and even risked their life to bring peace and save the factories from the attack of hooligans. The workers resisted armed gangs when the miscreants ransacked the factories.
The leaders of GSTUK demanded immediate arrest of Sumona Bhuian and gong responsible for anarchy in the region and repression on workers.
Arrest of killers and ensure exemplary punishment.
Immediate implementation of the declaration made by the President of BGMEA
The leaders said that the workers, industry and the countries interests are interdependent. None of them can be saved at the cost of others.
They called upon all workers, employers and the government as well as local people and political forces to unite and work for peace in the industrial area and oppose the forces of anarchy and plunder. They also reiterated that the right to form trade unions guaranteed by law, tripartite agreements and ILO conventions ratified by Bangladesh Government, should be duly honored by Garment owners. The trade unions can play a positive role in settling labour disputes peacefully and avoiding sudden outbursts and unrest which hamper production and industrial peace.The garment owners and the Government must realize that it is due to the absence of trade unions that such workers unrest flares up so often.The Gvt. should also take stern measures against mafia groups involved in looting and arson, irrespective of their political affiliation
The GWTUK leaders also called upon all inside and outside the country to come forward in solidarity to garment workers.
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