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:
- 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.
- Improve
retirement benefits equivalent to the wage of 60 months instead of 30
months.
- Provide 2 days paid holyday per
week for workers of agriculture farms as same as the farm officers and
employees.
- 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.
