Ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr, garment workers in Dhaka have issued a set of six demands, including a bonus equivalent to one month鈥檚 wage, as part of a broader call for fair treatment and improved working conditions.
The demands were voiced by the Dhaka Garment Workers鈥� Wage Increase Struggle Council during a rally held in front of the National Press Club on Friday.
Speakers at the rally highlighted the mounting pressures caused by skyrocketing living costs, arguing that current wages were inadequate to meet even basic needs.
鈥楶rices of essential goods keep rising, but the wages remain unchanged, it鈥檚 becoming impossible to survive,鈥� said one protester.
Workers accused employers of withholding portions of their salaries, forcing many to take on gruelling work schedules of 14-16 hours a day. Despite the labour law stipulation for double overtime pay, they claim employers routinely fail to comply.
The workers also criticised the widespread delay in salary payments. Under the law, wages are to be disbursed by the 7th of each month, but workers allege the deadline is rarely met. Many also condemned the practice of withholding wages until the night before Eid, calling it 鈥榠llegal and inhumane鈥�.
The garment workers outlined six primary demands 鈥撀犅犅� setting minimum wages in line with rising market prices, limiting workdays to 8 hours and enforce double pay for overtime, providing a bonus equivalent to one month鈥檚 wages for Eid-ul-Fitr, ensuring salaries are paid by the 7th of every month, abolishing the practice of withholding wages until just before Eid, enhancing workplace safety, ensuring job security, introducing equal pay for female workers, and providing health-friendly meals and night allowances for night shifts.
Speakers at the rally demanded fair treatment, better working conditions, and compliance with existing labour laws.
