Monday, August 18, 2014

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.  





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