'Implement MoU for peace in RMG sector'
Staff Correspondent
Leaders of Sramik Karmochari Oikya Parishad (Skop) yesterday demanded immediate implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) reached following tripartite meetings between the government and the representatives of owners and garment workers on May 24, June 1 and 4 for maintaining peace in garment sector.The unanimous MoU included issuing of appointment letters to all garment workers, an increase in their minimum wages, weekly holidays and allowing trade union in garment factories. At a press conference in the city Skop leaders urged the government to take effective measures ensuring 30 percent interim dearness allowance for the workers as their existing wage is not enough to maintain their families in view of price hike of essentials. "According to the tripartite decision the MoU will be implemented within three months but we call upon the government to implement it before the deadline," said Roy Ramesh Chandra, leader of Skop and general secretary of Jatiya Sramik League. Skop Co-ordinator and Trade Union Kendra General Secretary Dr Wazedul Islam Khan said lower wage structure and imposition of inhuman conditions by the garment owners sparked off the recent violence in the apparel sector of the country. Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal General Secretary Jafrul Hasan, Jatiya Sramik Federation President Shafiqur Rahaman Majumder, Sramik Jote President Abdul Kader Hawlader, Trade Union Kendra Acting President Shahidullah Chowdhury, Jatiya Sramik Federation General Secretary Shafiuddin Ahmed, Sangjukta Sramik Federation President Mokhlesur Rahman, Sramik Front President Abdullah Sarkar, Sramik Jote President Mesbahuddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Sramik Federation General Secretary Mojibur Rahman Bhuiyan and Trade Union Sangha President Khalilur Rahman were present at the conference. The tripartite meetings were held following violent demonstrations by garment workers in Savar, Gazipur and Mirpur in last week of May and first week of June that left a worker dead and thousands injured. The MoU was signed on June 12 with State Minister for Labour and Employment Aman Ullah Aman in the chair. LGRD and Co-operatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Commerce and Water Resources Minister Hafiz Uddin, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdullah-al-Noman, and representatives of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufactures & Exporters Association (BKMEA) were present on the occasion.
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