As part of the nationwide program announced by the Bangladesh Sugar Industry Corporation Workers-Employees Federation, the Thakurgaon Sugar Mills Workers-Employees Union on Saturday (29 November) observed the first day of their scheduled demonstrations to press home their four-point demand.
The protest was held at the Jamtala area of Thakurgaon Sugar Mill premises, where workers and employees marched under the banner of the Sugar Mills Workers-Employees Union.
Speakers at the demonstration included Abdul Kuddus, President of the Bangladesh Sugar Industry Corporation Workers-Employees Federation and President of the Thakurgaon Workers-Employees Union; Abdullah Al Mahmud Khan (Ratan), Advisor to the Bangladesh Sugar Industry Workers Federation and General Secretary of the Thakurgaon Workers-Employees Union; Ruhul Amin, Executive Member of the Bangladesh Sugar Industry Workers-Employees Federation and Joint General Secretary of the Thakurgaon Union; Lutfur Kabir, Vice-President of the Thakurgaon Union; and Shahjahan Ali, Secretary for Publicity and Social Welfare, among others.
Highlighting the four-point demand, the workers' leaders said that seasonal workers must be made permanent and kanamana (irregular/casual) workers must be appointed to their respective posts. They also demanded a minimum daily attendance allowance of Tk 700 for all workers, a 15% special benefit for workers as recommended by the Wage Commission, and overtime payment for eight hours if work is done on Fridays, which is their weekly holiday.
Issuing a warning, the speakers said that if their demands are not met immediately, they will launch tougher movements in the coming days.
Speaking to the media after the program, Abdullah Al Mahmud Khan Ratan, General Secretary of the Thakurgaon Sugar Mill Workers' Union, said that their protest programs will continue until the four-point demand is fulfilled.
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