News Release

1^st May 2017

Workers of the world, unite!

Farmers and agriculture workers on Labour Day to demand permanent job, living wage, safe work place and right to organize.

National Women Farmers and Workers Association (NWFA) and Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation (BAFLF) observed International Labour Day demanding exploitation free society by upholding workers’ rights.  To mark the International Labour Day, a colorful rally was brought out from Gazipur Chourasta returning back from in front of Gazipur D.C. office and ended at BARI headquarters and then a short discussion meeting was held there. Agriculture workers, women and small farmers joint the rallies to press their demands. Among others Rima Akter, Suprovat Rojario, Norjahan Begum of NWFA, Abdul Mazid, Lahaj Uddin Lahun, Abdul Latif, Md. Mamun and Md Rahimuddin of BAFLF spoke on the occasion.

Abdul Mazid, General Secretary of BAFLF, said ‘workers toil factories, farm and homes and they are the biggest part of our economy but, unfortunately, workers are exploited and deprived from the rights that are theirs by law. Workers in different sectors are still struggling for the right to unionise, safe work place, living wage, job security and health service’. He urged govt. to make workers’ rights a priority and take measures to stop workers’ harassment and illegal termination, to abolish precarious work.

On behalf of NWFA & BAFLF, flowing demands are placed from the meeting:

1.    Permanent employment with retirement benefit

2.    Maximum eight hours working time at all places and paid weekly holidays

3.    Equal opportunity and fair wages for women workers

4.    Paid six months paid maternity leave

5.    Ensuring living wage and safe and secured work place

6.    Permanent wage commission for all workers including informal sector workers

. Trade union rights for all