Sunday, October 16, 2016

আজ ১৬ অক্টোবর ২০১৬, বাংলাদেশ কৃষি ফার্ম শ্রমিক ফেডারেশন ও জাতীয় কিষাণী শ্রমিক সমিতির উদ্যোগে বিশ্ব খাদ্য দিবস উপলক্ষে, বিক্ষোভ মিছিল ও আলোচনা সভার আয়োজন করা হয়।
আলোচনা সভায় বক্তারা বলেন, আমরা মনে করি অনেক অনেক পদ্ধতির মাঝে জিএমও হচ্ছে একটি পদ্ধতি। এই প্রযুক্তির জন্য নির্ভর করতে হবে বিদেশী কোম্পানীগুলোর উপর। ফলে বাংলাদেশের কৃষকের হাত থেকে বীজ গুলো ধীরে ধীরে চলে যাবে বিদেশী কোম্পানী গুলোর কাছ্। জিএম শষ্যের বীজের জন্য নির্ভর করতে হবে বিদেশী কোম্পানী গুলোর উপর। আমাদের কৃষি শিল্পকে জিম্মি করে ব্যবসা করবে বিদেশী কোম্পানী গুলো। আমাদের অর্থনৈতিক দুর্বলতার কারণে উন্নত দেশ গুলো তাদের জিএম ফসলের প্রভাব দেখার জন্য আমাদের দেশকে বেছে নিয়েছে। সাহায্যের নামে জিএম ঢুকিয়ে দিচ্ছে আমাদের নিরীহ মানুষের খাদ্য তালিকায়। আমরা গিনিপিগের ভুমিকায় রয়েছি না জেনেই। আমরা প্রতিদিন প্রতিনিয়ত যে পপকর্ণ বা সয়াবীন তেল খেয়ে থাকি, এ গুলোও কিন্তু—– জিএম ফসল এবং এরই মধ্যে আরও যোগ হয়েছে বিটি বেগুন ও যোগ হওয়ার পথে গোল্ডেন রাইচ। ধারণা করা হয়, জিএম সয়াবীন তেলের ব্যবহার অধিক্যের কারনে আমাদের দেশে উদ্বেগজণক ভাবে ক্যান্সার রুগীর সংখ্যা বেড়েই চলেছে।
যেহেতু এখনো জিএমও এর ক্ষেত্রে কোন রকম লেবেলিং করা হয় না। অর্থাৎ জিএমও প্যাকেটে, বা বর্তমানে বাজারে বিক্রয়কৃত বেগুন আলাদা ভাবে জিএমও হিসেবে বিক্রয় করা হচ্ছে না। সেহেতু জিএম এর স্বাস্থ্য ও পরিবেশের উপর দীর্য মেয়াদী কি প্রভাব ফেলবে তা মাপার এখনো কোন স্কেল আমাদের হাতে নেই। আমাদের দেহে ডিডিটির মারাত্মক ক্ষতি করে, তা জানতে আমাদের ৩০ বছর লেগেছিল। তেমনি হয়তো জিএম এর ক্ষতিকারক দিক গুলো জানতে আমাদের বেশ অনেক বছর লাগবে কারণ আমরা এর ভয়ংকর দিক সাথে সাথে জানতে পারি না। প্রকৃত পক্ষে জেনেটিক ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিং এর মাধ্যামে জিএম ফসল তৈরী অর্থ্যাৎ ফসলে মেনিপুলেশান করা, তাদেরকে স্বাভাবিক পরিবেশে অবমুক্ত করা এবং ঐ সকল উৎপাদিত জিএম ফসল আমাদের খাদ্য হিসেবে ব্যবহার করা অবৈজ্ঞানিক, ঝুকিপূর্ণ এবং তা হবে দায়িত্বহীনতার পরিচায়ক।
তাই এখনই আমাদের প্রতিবাদী হতে হবে এবং জিএমও এর ক্ষতিকারক দিক গুলো সম্পর্কে এবং কৃষক ও জনসাধারনকে সচেতন করে তুলতে হবে।





Wednesday, August 24, 2016

BAFLF and NWFA celebrated International Youth Day 2016

Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation (BAFLF) and National Women Farmer and Workers Association (NWFA) celebrated International Youth Day 2016, in response to IUF South Asia call for observing the day, for the first time these two organizations observed this day urging to young workers’ right to a living wage, stable incomes, secure job, safe work and their dignity. On the occasion BAFLF and NWFA arranged rally, gathering and discussion meeting to acknowledge and encourage the action of young farm workers and farmers towards better future and also their active engagement in union activities.
In BRRI headquarter, a rally was held where about 300 farm workers took part. In the gathering Abdul Mazid, General Secretary of BAFLF advised the youth workers to come forward in resisting the violation of workers’ rights. He also declared that BAFLF will form its separate articulation soon and from today we will start this process.

NWFA BARI headquarters unit organized another discussion meeting in BARI conference hall where Abdul Mazid,General Secretary of BAFLF was chief guest and Nasrin Sultana of NWFA was in chair. Young promising leader Ranju Ahmed conducted the meeting. Among others Golam Sorowor, Rahim Uddin, Mamun Hossain of BAFLF, Nurjahan Begum on NWFA were present the discussions.





Monday, June 13, 2016

অতি আনন্দের সাথে জানাচ্ছি যে, বাংলাদেশ কৃষি ফার্ম শ্রমিক ফেডারেশনের আবেদনের প্রেক্ষিতে ও দীর্ঘ আন্দোলন সংগ্রামের ফলে কৃষি ফার্মে কর্মরত (ধান গবেষনা, কৃষি গবেষনা, বিএডিসি ফার্ম, পাট গবেষনা, ঈক্ষু গবেষনা ও রেশম বীজাগারে কর্মরত কৃষি শ্রমিক) কৃষি শ্রমিকদের বেতন বৃদ্ধির প্রজ্ঞাপন জারি হলো আজ।
1।(ঢাকা ও চট্টগ্রাম সিটি কর্পোরেশন)
নিয়মিত:500 টাকা (মাসে 500X30=15000 টাকা)
অনিয়মিত: 475(মাসে 475 X 30= 14250 টাকা)
২।(বিভাগীয় শহর এবং অন্যান্য সিটি কর্পোরেশন)
নিয়মিত:500 টাকা (মাসে 500X30=15000 টাকা)
অনিয়মিত: 450(মাসে 450X30=13500 টাকা)
3। জেলা ও উপজেলা এলাকা
নিয়মিত: 450 টাকা (মাসে 450X30=13500 টাকা)
অনিয়মিত: 400(মাসে 400 X 30= 12000 টাকা)
বাংলাদেশ কৃষি ফার্ম শ্রমিক ফেডারেশনের সাধারণ সম্পাদক আব্দুল মজিদ, মাননীয় প্রধান মন্ত্রী, মাননীয় কৃষি মন্ত্রী, মাননীয় বেসামরিক বিমান পরিবহন ও পর্যটন মন্ত্রী জনাব রাশেদ খান মেনন ও কৃষি মন্ত্রণালয়ের সচীব মহোদয়ের নিকট কৃষি ফার্ম শ্রমিকদের পক্ষথেকে কৃতজ্ঞতা প্রকাশ করেন।



Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation (BAFLF) arranged series of linkage meeting on 2-4 June 2016. This meeting was held in Bakta Union Parishad, Balian Union Parishad and Deokhola Union Parishad, Fulbaria, Mymensingh. The chairman and members of the Union Parishad, local farmer including woman farmers & agri workers attended these sharing meetings on using echo friendly agro technologies to save our agriculture and the environment.








Tuesday, May 31, 2016

PRESS RELEASE

Mymensingh  press club, 30 May, 2016

BAFLF term the WTO treaty on agri-subsidies withdrawal suicidal for Bangladesh, 
Demanded special measures in the 2016-17 budget to ensure sustainable food security
Govt. must be prepared for the post subsidy era
Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation has termed the recent WTO treaty on subsidy withdrawal from agriculture as suicidal for the food security of Bangladesh. They were speaking from press conference held today in Mymensingh  press club.  They said, the 10th Ministerial Conference of World Trade Organization (WTO has decided to bring an end to agriculture subsidies. Developing countries will remove subsidies within 2023, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and net food-importing countries will do that within 2030. It means countries like Bangladesh has to stop all its supports towards agriculture. It will lead Bangladesh may be to remove almost a full ministry called Ministry of Agriculture that is providing various extension supports to the agriculture sector.
Md. Anower Hossain, president of BINA Workers Association and CC member BAFLF presided over the press conference. On behalf of the BAFLF Sultan Ahmed placed some specific recommendations from the press conference, these are: (i) implementation of strong laws controlling commercialization of agricultural lands to save small farmers land and to refrain marginalized farmers from selling their lands, (ii) introduction of cooperative farming to save the small scale farmers, govt. incentives must be there to save the small scale farmers (iii) Establishment of dam in coastal areas must get priorities to save the coastal farmers from river erosion, flash flood and seal level rising (iv) implementation of strong and effective market mechanism so that farmers access and control over the marker established, (v) enhanced capacities of public sector in seeds productions and distribution, more allocation for BADC must be ensured, (vi)  We demand extension of sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural technologies.
Sultan Ahmed said, in one hand it is said that country has become food surplus country and we are exporting food and food import is also going, what is the reality then?  Agriculture of Bangladesh can’t be treated same as the developed countries. Developed countries have been able to enhance capacities of their farmers with huge subsidies and technical support. They have become industrial now. So, withdrawal of subsidy in developed countries and in Bangladesh can’t have same impact.   

Abdul Mazid +8801711660474

Golam Sorowor +8801711951709 




Sunday, May 1, 2016

Workers of the world, unite!

BAFLF & NWFA observed International Labour Day 2016.

The historic May Day also known as International Labour Day is being observed today by Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation (BAFLF) & National Farmers and Workers Association (NWFA). BAFLF have arranged various programmes including colorful processions, rally, discussion meeting. More than 2000 Agricultural farm workers from BAFLF’s affiliates trade unions and associations including NWFA,BARRI workers union, BRRI shramik somity, NATA shramik somity took part in a rally brought out from BARRI headquarters returning back from in front of Gazipur District Commissioner office and ended at BRRI headquarters. After the procession and rally a short discussion was held.

Md Mamun of BAFLF moderated the discussions. Among others Rima Akter, Norjahan Begum of NWFA, Abdul Mazid, Lahaj Uddin Lahun, Abdul Hamid, Golam Sorowor and Md Rahimuddin of BAFLF delivered their speeches at the occasion. The speakers of the gathering mentioned that workers have been continuously deprived. They don’t have job security and better wage. Workers’ working condition is not also safe and healthy. Thousands of agricultural workers in rural area are unemployed, they did not get work. So they left villages and migrated into cities with their families where they lead very miserable and insecure life. The speakers demanded that Govt. should concentrate on agricultural workers and take measures for their food and job security.

Abdul Mazid, General Secretary of BAFLF said that, Agricultural Farm Workers are fighting for permanent employment, improved retirement benefit, paid weekly holidays and maternity leave. He expressed his hope that we must achieve our just demands as we are united. He added The International Labour Day enhances our courage to carry on our struggle for our rights, lives and livelihood. He demanded for improving the working conditions with better wages for workers and job security.

Rima Akter, general secretary of NWFA, said women workers engaged in agriculture are not getting fair wage though they work more than male counterparts. They are deprived of equal facilities, just wage. She urged the Govt. to give sufficient allocation for agriculture in upcoming budget and increase subsidy in agriculture for sustainable agriculture as well as to save farmers and agricultural workers.

Abdul Mazid : +8801711 660474







https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU1KNMAezFU&feature=youtu.be

Sunday, April 17, 2016


BAFLF and NWFA  have observed The International Day of Peasants Struggle


Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation and National Women Farmers & Workers Association have observed The International Day of Peasants Struggle to commemorate the massacre of landless farmers in Brazil as well as the recent killing of farmers and landless defenders for struggling their land, food and livelihood throughout the world including Bangladesh, Honduras, Columbia, Philippines and Brazil. To mark the Day, BAFLF and NWFA organized a rally in Gazipur, Dhaka. Farmers, women peasant and agricultural workers took part at that gathering to raise their demands for comprehensive and actual Agrarian Reform to ensure peoples’ food sovereignty. After rally a discussion meeting was held.

Md. Mamun of BAFLF conducted the discussion session. Among others Ruhul Amin, Abdul Rahim, Ashish Rojario of BAFLF and Rima Akter, Farjana Begum, Nurjahan Begum of NWFA and several others farmers’ leaders also spoke at the occasion.
The speakers at the meeting said that in1980’s agriculture contributed 33.07% of GDP in Bangladesh but now this rate is decreasing. That time farmers controlled agriculture and they had controlled over land, seed and water. Due to govt. policy farmers gradually are losing their control on land, seed as well as agriculture and market. TNCs and local private company is dominating agriculture and captured market. Govt. influenced by private company privatizes and commercializes agriculture and natural resources resulting farmers to become landless and poorer. The speakers also demand that to save farmers and small scale peasants, there is no alternative to genuine agrarian reform.
On behalf of BAFLF and NWFA, Golam Sorowor places 15 points specific recommendations for Comprehensive Agrarian Reforms. These are:
  1. Farmers are real owners of agricultural land. The ownership of land is to be determined on the basis of the principal those who cultivate land are owners of that land.
  2. In the case of two-cropped land, maximum land ceiling shall be 15 bighas, and for one-cropped land, maximum ceiling shall be 20 bighas. Excess land shall be included in the khas khatian (khas land).
  3. Khash and fellow forestlands to be distributed among the landless people, and shall remain to be non-transferable.
  4. Permanent settlement should be given to those who have been living on the forestland for long time.
  5. Acquisition of agricultural land to be stopped for housing, industries and commercial farming purposes.
  6. Distribution, identification, demarcation and use of khaslands (abandoned land) to be handed over to the Union Perished Chairman. Rural and agricultural workers should be given the right to form trade union and the registration of their union be given in the authority of the Chairman.
  7. Assurance to be given by the Govt. for minimum 200 days’ work in a year for agricultural workers as well as rural working people.
  8. Govt. should ensure guarantee for distributing khasland to indigenous, tribal and other marginal working people. There should be permanent settlement of land for the tribal. Decent living conditions and basic rights for tea workers, climate induced agri migrants and Bedes (Gypsy) should be provided by Govt.
  9. To protect farmers’ land and to refrain marginalized farmers from selling their lands, strong laws stopping commercialization of agricultural lands must be implemented.
  10.  For serving the interest of the farmers, digitalized land management system should be introduced to control corruption and forgery in regards land.
  11.  Leasing system of public property such as hat, bazar, river, forest, water bodies etc. to be stopped.
  12.  Govt. should promote cooperative farming and Govt. incentives must be there to save the small scale farmers. Strong and effective market mechanism should be developed so that farmers’ access and control over the marker established.
  13.  Subsidy to be continuing to protect farmers’ interest and to attain sustained self-sufficiency’ in agriculture. Govt. should promote the extension of sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural technologies.
  14.  Embankments are to be planned safeguarding the natural motion of water of the rainy season.  Establishment of dam in coastal areas must get priorities to save the coastal farmers from river erosion, flash flood and seal level rising.    
  15. Organic fertilizers and alternative to chemical pesticides shall have to be used instead of chemical fertilizers and harmful poisonous pesticides. The use and import of GMO seed, GMO pesticides should be banned. Govt. should enhance capacities of public sector in seeds productions and distribution, more allocation for BADC must be ensured.








Please see the video link: https://youtu.be/m-Q9lsmeg20