Concerned over mass sacking in garment factories amid the COVID-19 outbreak, labour union leaders in Bangladesh recently demanded immediate reinstatement of all terminated workers with full monthly wages. Three unions, in a joint statement, claimed around 10,000 garment workers from Dhaka, Savar, Gazipur, Ashulia, Narayanganj and Chattogram have lost jobs.
The Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation (BGIWF), the Bangladesh Independent Garment Workers Union Federation (BIGUF) and the Bangladesh Centre for Workers Solidarity (BCWS) called on factory owners to comply with the government order and stop firing workers during the crisis.
The three organisations suggested preparing a list of workers who have been terminated from January to March and reinstating all of them with full wage payment and inform workers about this through an official notice.
Their other demands included keeping the garment factories closed until the extended public holidays with paid leave.
The unions also warned of launching global campaign against buyers who cancel, suspend or claim discount on their orders, citing the impact of the pandemic.
