Yesterday 30 November 2014, Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation (BAFLF) organized a press conference demanding to ensure farmers’ financial security, protect farmers’ right on seeds, and supply quality seeds to farmers and strengthen Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (Govt. seed producing agency) for sustainable agriculture.

BAFLF demand permanent employment for irregular workers in BADC as well as improved retirement benefit, paid weekly holidays and maternity leave.

Today 18 August 2014, Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation (BAFLF) conducted a Press Conference in National Press Club, Dhaka to demand  for Parmanand employment of precarious workers employed on Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) farm as per Agricultural Farm Workers’ Appointment and Control Policy (1990) and re-employment of  1604 farm workers as permanent workers who were forced to take voluntary retirement. In addition of to improve retirement benefits equivalent to the wage of 60 months instead of 30 months and two days paid holyday per week, BAFLF also demand to increase paid maternity leave to 6 months, giving farm workers the same maternity rights as farm management and other govt. staff.

In the Press Conference, Abdul Mazid, General Secretary of BAFLF read out his written statement. He urged to take rapid initiative to implement all rightful demands of agricultural farm workers and to pay wages through bank account to reduce corruption of different BADC farms. They also said farm workers have contribution to achieve self sufficiency in food as well as success in agriculture. Skilled farm workers have been producing quality seeds for many days but they are deprived and oppressed. On the other hand, corrupted officers are earning illegal money depriving these helpless workers of their owing. If any one protests this injustice, he/she has been harassed.

He also said farm workers employed in BADC are in danger. They have no job security. At this moment we need to strengthen our unity and make sure to be more active of all BAFLF affiliated BADC workers union to fight against the injustice on them.

Abdul Mazid added BADC authority intentionally doesn’t regularize the workers as a part of conspiracy. They are pocketing thousands of money showing the fake attendance in the name master roll attendance. He urged to stop these and to end discrimination and close the massive gap between the right and entitlements of farm workers and the officers and staff of the BADC as well as all agricultural farms.

Golam Sorowor, finance secretary of BAFLF said at the Press Conference BADC authority is trying to destroy foundation seed for the interest of local and multinational seed companies. For that reason they terminated 1604 skilled farm workers and still now they don’t regularize farm workers who have been working hard to produce quality seeds for the last 20-25 years. He also added that BADC must be strengthen to save the local verities quality foundation seed.

One behalf of BAFLF Abdul Mazid appeal to Honorable Prime Minister to fulfill the following demands:

1. Making permanent of precarious workers employed on Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) farms and re-employment of  1604 farm workers as permanent workers who were forced to take voluntary retirement.
2. Improve retirement benefits equivalent to the wage of 60 months instead of 30 months.
3. Provide 2 days paid holyday per week for workers of agriculture farms as same as the farm officers and employees. 
4. Increase paid maternity leave to 6 months, giving farm workers the same maternity rights as farm management and other govt. staff.    

Among others Abdul Latif, Lehaz Uddin Lahul, Abdul Hamid, Mamun Hossain, and several others union leaders were present at the Press Conference.  

BAFLF demand permanent employment for irregular workers in BADC as well as improved retirement benefit, paid weekly holidays and maternity leave.

Today agricultural farm workers conducted human chain in front of National Press Club, Dhaka organized by Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation (BAFLF) to demand regular employment for irregular workers employed on Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC)farm as per Agricultural Farm Workers’ Appointment and Control Policy (1990) and re-employment of  1604 farm workers who were forced to receive voluntary retirement. In addition they demand to improve retirement benefits equivalent to the wage of 60 months instead of 30 months and two days paid holyday per week, BAFLF also demand to increase paid maternity leave to 6 months, giving farm workers the same maternity rights as farm management and other govt. staff.

The speakers in the human chain urged to take immediate initiative to implement all rightful demands of agricultural farm workers and to pay wages through bank account to reduce corruption of different BADC farms.

They also said farm workers have contribution to achieve self sufficiency in food as well as success in agriculture. Skilled farm workers have been producing quality seeds for many days but they are deprived and oppressed. On the other hand, corrupted officers are earning illegal money depriving these helpless workers of their owing. If any one protests this injustice, he/she has been harassed.

Mahmodul Hasan Manik, vice president of BAFLF said, farm workers employed in BADC are being exploited. They have no job security. At this moment we need to strengthen our unity and make sure to be more active of all BAFLF affiliated BADC workers union to fight against the injustice on them.

Abdul Mozid, General Secretary of BAFLF said, BADC authority intentionally doesn’t regularize the workers as a part of conspiracy. They are pocketing thousands of money showing the fake attendance in the name masterroll attendance. He urged to stop these and to end discrimination and close the massive gap between the right and entitlements of farm workers and the officers and staff of the BADC as well as all agricultural farms.

Golam Sorowor, finance secretary of BAFLF said, BADC authority is trying to destroy foundation seed for the interest of local and multinational seed companies. For that reason they forced 1604 skilled farm workers to receive retirement and still now they don’t regularize farm workers who have been working hard to produce quality seeds for the last 20-25 years. He also added that BADC must be strengthen to save the  local verities  quality foundation seed.

Among others Abdul Latif, Lehaz Uddin Lahul, Abdul Hamid, Mamun Hossain, Ranzu and several others union leaders delivered their speech demanding to fulfill the following demands:

1. Permanent employment for irregular workers of all BADC farm and re-employing of 1604 farm workers.
2. Improve retirement benefits equivalent to the wage of 60 months instead of 30 months.
3. Provide 2 days paid holyday per week for workers of agriculture farms as same as the farm officers and employees.  
4. Increase paid maternity leave to 6 months, giving farm workers the same maternity rights as farm management and other govt. staff.   

Increased the daily wages of agriculture farm workers.

A good news. Another success of BAFLF that the Ministry of Agriculture has increased the daily wages of agriculture farm workers from 230 to 260 (irregular workers) and 260 to 300 (regular workers). The Ministry published an office order regarding this on 25 May 2014. As per the order the workers will get increased salary from 25 May 2014. It’s mentioned that increasing salary considering present market price and inflation was one of the demands of BAFLF for which it had been continuing its movement including strike, gathering and demonstration and finally we successes.

May Day being observed

Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation (BAFLF) and Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Women Labour Association (BAFWLA) celebrated International Labour Day 2014. Agricultural farm workers of different union, women workers join a street rally and discussion to raise working people’s voices for ensuring their rights and working safety along with upholding spirit of the May Day today.

Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation (BAFLF) and Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Women Labour Association (BAFWLA) jointly observed

International Day of Farmers' Struggles 

In memory of the massacre of 19 Brazilian landless peasants Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation (BAFLF) and Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Women Labour Association (BAFWLA) jointly have observed International Day of Farmers' Struggles declared by Via Campesina April 17^th. As same minded friend organization of La Via Campesina, we every year observe the day in response to their request. This year we arranged several actions including human chain, procession and rally demanding farmers’ right on seeds, to stop farming GMO seeds especially BT Brinjal, strengthen Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation, Govt. seed agency and ensuring food sovereignty rights of people through actual land and agri-reform. After human chain, procession and rally BAFLF and BAFWLA also organised discussions in BRRI Auditorium, Gazipur. Mr. Mahamudul Hasan Manik, vice president of BAFLF presided over the meeting while Golam Sorowor conducted the same. Ms. Hazera Sultana, Member of Parliament and also honorable adviser of Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Women Labour Association, was present as the chief guest at the discussion meeting. The discussants urged the authorities to fulfill farmers demands. They also added we should continue our struggle against Multi national seed companies and their local agents. Among others Nasrin Sultana, the Chairperson of BAFWLA, Mamun Hossain, Assistant General Secretary of BAFLF and others Farmers activists took part in the deliberation.

 

Farmer Leaders urge in a seminar not to let MNC undermine the farmers’ rights

Capacitate BADC as a pubic institution to ensure agricultural seed

Dhaka, 6^th April 2014: Today in a seminar titled “Agriculture and Farmer Friendly Budget: Public-Private Sector in Seed Management” at the National Press club the speakers urged for sufficient allocation for Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) to rule over the multi national corporations (MNCs) and local companies who basically undermines the rights of farmers in the upcoming budget for the next fiscal year. The seminar is jointly organized by Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation (BAFLF), Bangladesh Krishok Federation, BAFLF Women Committee, Bangladesh Vumihin Samity, Kendrio Krishok Moitri, Bangladesh Kishani Shova and COAST Trust at the National Press Club Today.

Mustafa Kamal Akanda of COAST Trust moderates the seminar while Mr. A Kha Ma Jahangir Hossain MP and former State Minister to Textile, Mr. Shamsuzzaman Dudu of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Mr. Anwar Faruk, the Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Dewan Siraj, the presenter of Agriculture program of BTV, Mr. Ziaul Huq Muta of Oxfam-Asia, Mr. Aminur Rasul Babul of Unnayan Dhara Trust spoke as the panelists. The keynote paper is presented by Mujibul Haque Munir of COAST Trust.

In his keynote presentation Mujibul Haque Munir says the entire agriculture sector of the country is being dependent on the seed marketed by the MNCs and local private sector companies. BADC, the public institute for agriculture who have been successfully contributing for the agricultural development since the liberation should be capacitated more to get out of this situation. The contribution of BADC in providing seeds to the farmers, however, is decreasing day by day. He adds, Bt. Brinjal is being promoted in Bangladesh in spite of its health hazardous elements found by its own research. BADC should have been the capacity to monitor this kind of seed marketing.

Ziaul Huq Mukta of OXFAM says in his speech that, no agricultural product should be imported that can threaten our own crop production. The imported crops should be well managed by tariff and other customs rules so that our growers of the same crop could be benefitted. He adds, more allocation in the upcoming budget should be sanctioned for agricultural research and invention of our own seeds. A Price Commission could be introduced in the country so that the proper price is ensured for the small-scale farmers.

Jibanananda Jayanta of Surokkha O Agragati Foundation says, there is no legal protection for the farmers if they end up in any financial loss by using unknown seeds promoted by seed companies. We should have reform the existing laws in this regard. Aminur Rasul Babul says, our farmers should have the right over the seeds. There should be system on how the government will compensate if any farmer fall in financial loss. Dewan Siraj of Bangladesh Television says, there should be budget allocation for marketing of the local agriculture production. The farmers should be involved in the national budget process.

Mr. Anwar Faruk, the additional Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture says, the main problem of our agriculture is the farmers are not getting the just price of their crops. We should develop a value chain for their crop and a well management and preservation system for the surplus production.

Mr. Akram Hossain Chowdhury of Bangladesh Awami league says, we should focus on the empowerment of the marginalized farmers. Neither budget allocation nor the local companies and MNC matters if our farmers are well empowered and equipped.

Mr. Shamsuzzaman Dudu of BNP says, once the democracy is established in the country agriculture along with all other sectors will be developed in no time. We had corruption of 1500 billion Taka in the last 7 years. Democracy is essential to stop this.

Mr. A K M Jahangir Hossain MP says, I think the subsidy in agriculture is a kind of investment. If we spent money here it will return in many times through the agricultural production. He also says, we should consider the reality and the climate of our country while conducting research on the seeds. We can’t blame all kind of high yielding seeds in an average. Our population have been increased in many times and old technology of agriculture is no more sufficient. He adds, BADC have many warehouses in the district level that are out of order. We should reinstall them to function properly. 

Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation (BAFLF) organized one day organizational review and plan of action meeting supported by IFAD under MTCP-2 project on 21 March 2014 in BRRI seminar hall Gazipur, Bangladesh.

BAFLF-Women Committee (BAFLF-WC) organized one day organizational review and plan of action meeting supported by IFAD under MTCP-2 project on 21 March 2014 in its central office, 5/13, Naljani, Chandona chourasta, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

 

BAFLF Women Committee and Workers Education Center (WEC) jointly observed International Women’s Day-2014

International Women’s Day was observed in Bangladesh like elsewhere pressing for equal rights of men and women in social, political and economic sectors.
BAFLF Women Committee and Workers Education Center (WEC) jointly observed the day through various programmes including procession and rally demanding equal rights, implementation of the government’s directive of six-month maternity leave for agriculture farm women labours as well as all working women in private sector, ensure health rights, end to sexual harassment, safe workplace for women, and women’s safety in all levels of the society.

After procession and rally BAFLF-WC and WEC also organised discussions in BRRI Auditorium, Gazipur. The discussants urged the authorities to stop practicing politics using religion that hindered women empowerment and equality. In her speech the chairperson of BAFLF-WC also said that women were still being deprived of the equal right to inherited properties and in many working places they were facing discrimination in wages. Among others the general secretary of BAFLF, also the president of Workers Education Center (WEC) Abdul Mozid, Md. Kafil Uddin,  President of Akota Garments Workers Federation, Asma Khatun, Vic-President of Akota Garments Workers Federation and others women activists took part in the deliberation.

On 18 February, 2014, BAFLF warmly greet Mr. Rashed Khan Menon MP, also the adviser of BAFLF, for nominating as the Minister of  Civil Aviation and Tourism of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. General Secretary of BAFLF Mr. Abdul Majid chaired at the reception. Nasrin Sultana, Chairperson of BAFLF-Women Committee conducted the meeting.

The reception ceremony began with the flowary welcome to Comrade Rashed Khan Menon, MP, Honorable Minister , on behalf of Agriculture Farm Labours. 

In his speech as the chief guest Honorable Minister mentioned the various deprivation  of Agriculture Farm workers in the past, and said at present the agriculture farm workers have been  able to meet many demands through united movement. Stressing the unity of Agriculture Farm workers, he added that if BAFLF would able to maintain the unity of all the rest of the demands will be fulfill. He also said that since independence, this is the biggest failure of our Parliament , we still could not pass a separate law for agricultural farm workers.

Lastly, the Minister pledged to work together to implement the rights of workers as workers’ comrade.

At the reception also addressed among others by Dr. Md. Shahjahan Kabir, Director (Administration and general care), Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Dr. Jibon Krishna Biswas, Director General, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute and Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam Mondal, Director General, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute. Besides, Mr. Golam Sorowor, Finance Secretary of BAFLF and the leaderships of different agriculture  Farm Workers’ unions took part in deliberations.