The factory owners of all sectors, including readymade garment (RMG), have been urged to pay monthly wages and Eid bonus to the workers before the Eid holiday starts.
State Minister for Labour Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury made the call at the 18th meeting of a tripartite consultative committee (TCC) on RMG industry held at Srama Bhaban in the city on Wednesday.
He also urged the factory owners not to terminate any worker and announce lay off of units before the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.
The same instructions were given to the non-RMG industries too at a separate meeting of the tripartite consultative committee held at the same venue on the same day.
Speaking at the RMG-TCC meeting, President of Sammilito Garments Sramik Federation Nazma Akter demanded wage payment for 15 days of June along with the May wages and bonus before the Eid.
She urged the government to ratify ILO (International Labour Organization) 190 convention concerning the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work.
Labour leaders also demanded stopping harassment, arrest and withdrawal of cases filed for demanding dues and other lawful rights.
They informed the meeting that though the government each time asked the owners not to terminate any workers before the Eid, there were incidents of such terminations.
Even factories prepare a list of workers who participated in any wage protests and shared with other factories by 'black listing' them, and the respective workers don't get jobs in other units, they alleged.
Industrial police representatives opined that in some cases, unwanted situations arise in factories that are not members of either BGMEA or BKMEA and sub-contracting units.
He requested measures to bring them under the umbrella of any of the two trade bodies to ensure monitoring and compliance.
During the TCC meeting, Razequzzaman Ratan general secretary of Samajtantrik Sramik Front suggested taking precautionary measures so that there are no untoward labour issues over wage payment.
He suggested prior bonus payment saying workers would be relieved if they get the festival allowance early.
Amirul Haque Amin general secretary of Jatiya Sramik Federation proposed to make festival allowance and dues payment, if any, simultaneously and timely monthly wage payment.
Speaking at the second meeting, President of Bangladesh Employers' Federation (BEF) Ardashir Kabir said problems arise when payments are not made duly.
He requested the government to release the cash incentive worth Tk 40 billion timely.
He also called on labour leaders to make workers aware of their rights and responsibilities.
Labour Secretary Mahbub Hossain and Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) inspector general Abdur Rahim Khan, among others, were present at the meeting.
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