The programmes include rallies in all district headquarters and industrial areas on March 6, a grand rally at Paltan Maidan in the city on April 1, and a countrywide 48-hour strike on April 5 and 6.

The programmes were announced by Skop leaders at a press conference at its office in the city.

They also demanded restarting of all closed mills and factories and payment of all arrears to the employees.

The leaders said Skop signed the agreement with the government demanding declaration of national minimal wage, stoppage of privatisation of public industries, and restarting of the closed mills and factories.

"But none of them were implemented in last 13 months though the government had pledged to do that in four months. More over, the government violated the agreements by closing and privatising the running industries," said Jatiya Sramik Jote President Abdul Kader Hawlader.

The government has formed pay commission for the government officials and employees, but is indifferent to the employees of private sector, he said.

Eighty lakh workers and employees in private sector are passing an inhuman life, said Shahidullah Chowdhury, acting president of Bangladesh Trade Union Kendro.

When contacted, Shajahan Ali Sarder, deputy secretary of labour ministry, could not say anything on the state of the agreements.