Own Correspondent: A press conference was held at Sagar-Runi Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in Segunbagicha of the capital last Sunday morning under the banner of ‘Samana Nau-Shramik Oikya Parishad’ to demand a minimum wage of Tk 20,000 for the workers. In the press conference, this agenda was announced with seven point demands including publication of the gazette, fixing the minimum wage of 20,000 taka and compensation for death at work at 12 lakh taka.
Boat workers have called for a continuous strike across the country from 12:01 am on November 28 (November 27 morning). Leaders of various ship workers’ organizations present at the time expressed their support for the program and said that all types of ships, including passenger launches and cargo ships, will be covered by this strike.
The general secretary of the Bangladesh Shippers Federation said at the press conference. Sabuj Sikder said, “If there is a provision to announce a new wage structure every five years, the last wage structure expired on June 30 last year. But the boat owners’ organizations are not taking this issue into account. In addition, in these 16 months, many times of negotiations with various levels of the government, including the Naval Ministry and the Labor Department, did not yield results.
In response to a question, Sabuj Sikdar said that in the last seven years (6 years and 4 months), the price of goods has increased several times. Due to non-increase in wages and allowances, boat workers are spending miserable days with their families. Now their backs are against the wall. Therefore, ordinary workers are forced to unite and give a tough movement program. However, if the Ministry of Labor and Employment and the Department of Labor publish a wage hike gazette by November 27, the ongoing naval strike program will be called off.
Member Secretary of Nau-Shramik Oikya Parishad read the written statement at the press conference. Monirul Islam Master. Convenor of the organization. Under the chairmanship of Mohiuddin Driver, General Secretary of Bangladesh Nauyan Sramik Federation Jahangir Alam Bepari, General Secretary of Chittagong Branch of Bangladesh Nauyan Sramik and Employees Union Md. Habibur Rahman master, naval labor leader Anisur Rahman and Enayet Hossain Liton.
