The IndustriALL Bangladesh Council (IBC) has demanded vaccination of all workers, including the garment industry.
Md Touhidur Rahman, former secretary general of the councilmade the demand at a discussion meeting held at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia hall of the National Press Club on Saturday.
According to the other demands of the organization, the workers who came to the workplace amid the lockdown on short notice have to be compensated with Tk 3000 each; all workers have to be paid 25 percent risk allowance until vaccination, and 50 percent allowance if they work during any lockdown announced by the government; all types of layoffs must be stopped and workers who have been laid off earlier must be paid the legal dues;general duty has to be stopped in the name of time coordination during lockdown, and arrears of the previous overtime duty has to be paid.
They further demanded that immediate action should be taken to sell rice, flour, edible oil, sugar and baby food at subsidized prices in the industrial zones considering the current rise in prices of essential commodities and international brands have to do business with domestic traders while maintaining business ethics. They further said that in case of workers’ layoffs or dissatisfaction during the Covid-19 period, the owners should try to resolve it through negotiation and refrain from inciting tension by filing criminal cases accusing the workers or leaders in any way; and trade unions, employers and the government must take the initiative to implement the recommendations made through discussion in dealing with any crisis and ensure that the workers have an environment conducive to free trade unions and collective bargaining.
Touhidur Rahman said that the government gave incentive money to the owners. The government could have provided rice, flour, edible oil and baby food at a subsidized price as part of the economic savings of the workers working at risk during Covid-19 period or provided financial assistance of Tk 2,500 as part of the Prime Minister's Eid gift.
General Secretary Kamrul Hasan said that it is unfortunate that workers were not vaccinated on a priority basis.
“A healthy and strong worker who will play a key role in increasing the productivity of the garment industry in the Covid-19 free world of the future can only be produced by improving the quality of life of the workers, ensuring job security and paying a decent living wage”, he added.
