Own Correspondent, Gazipur: In Gazipur Sadar Upazila, the leaders of Jatiya Trinamool Sramik Federation have been accused of extorting money from the sacked workers in the name of labor organization. The affected workers filed a written complaint at Joydevpur police station .
Allegations of embezzlement of workers' money against leaders in Gazipur
The complaint was filed on Monday (October 14) afternoon in Bhabanipur area of Sadar Upazila. However, the accused labor leaders say that no money was taken forcibly.
According to the source of complaints of the workers, hundreds of workers were working in Palamal Safa Sweaters Limited-2 factory located in Begumpur village of Bhavanipur for a long time. They first went on strike demanding a puja holiday on October 12 and later blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Bhavanipur area. Following this, the factory authorities dismissed around 200 workers as per the Labor Act and promised to pay all their dues.
Then on October 14, time and place were fixed for payment of dues to the workers. When the workers appeared there for the dues, two persons named Shamim Khan and Fatema Akhtar introduced themselves as the central president and general secretary of the Bangladesh Trinamool Garments Workers Federation.
They then demanded a large portion of the money due to the workers, claiming that they had a role in receiving this money. When they refused to pay, the accused forcibly extorted 7,000 rupees from each worker. In this way they snatched a total of 14 lakhs.
The complaint also said that when the workers protested, the accused verbally abused them and threatened not to allow them to work in any factory in future. In this incident, Sumon and other workers filed a complaint at the police station for security, where 10/15 unknown people were named as accused.
Fatema Akhter, general secretary of the Central Committee of the accused National Trinamool Workers Federation, said, "As the workers protested, the factory authorities prevented them from working according to the labor law." Later those workers came to my office. The time for payment of their dues was fixed yesterday. I was on the spot to ensure that they get their fair dues and that outsiders do not come and create trouble. At that time, 70 to 80 people were cleared. Later they were happy and gave us 500 to 1000 rupees. There is nothing wrong with taking this money, it is in the constitution of our organization. The complaint they made to the police station that they took Tk 14 lakh is untrue.
Arman Hossain, a labor leader and the organizer of student workers who revolted, said, "The incident of sacking of workers in Safa sweaters of Palamal Group on the occasion of Puja holiday and the officials of Trinamool Workers' Federation who cheated the workers on the due money should be arrested and punished." We demand the speedy implementation of 18 points announced by the government by condemning this inhumane decision of the owners who have unjustly deducted one basic from a total of 160 workers and centered on Puja holidays. Wages and status will not be disputed. Workers should not be blamed for sustaining dissatisfaction in the garment sector.'
Abdul Halim, officer-in-charge of Joydevpur police station, said that we have received a complaint of extorting money from the workers. Legal action will be taken after investigation.
This time, Tongir's Tameerul Millat Madrasah is at the top
