Grameenphone workers accuse it of rights violations; company rejects allegations

The Grameenphone Terminated and Rights-Deprived Workers Unity Council has raised allegations against Grameenphone Limited for its 'unlawful' layoffs and labour rights violations, which the company said was an attempt at spreading disinformation.

Council's convener Abu Sadat Mohammad Shoaib brought the allegations against the company at a press conference  at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka and demanded justice.

He accused Grameenphone of exploiting loopholes in the law to consistently deny workers their rights.

While the company positions itself as law-abiding, Shoaib alleged that it has been subtly violating labour laws withholding workers' dues, wrongfully terminating employees, and misusing the judicial system to prolong legal disputes, thereby wasting workers' time and energy in lengthy court battles, he said.

Shoaib claimed that over the last decade, Grameenphone has reduced its permanent workforce by 70%, now employing just 1,200 permanent workers.

During this process, workers have reportedly been coerced into voluntary retirement, subjected to mental stress, and denied their legal entitlements.

He said in 2012, around 180 workers were terminated for attempting to form a trade union.

Since 2015, the company has used a "voluntary retirement" scheme to pressure workers into resigning. In 2021, despite government directives, 180 workers were dismissed during the COVID-19 pandemic, said the council.

Grameenphone, despite being a profitable company, has terminated approximately 3,300 workers through various means in an effort to maximise profits, the council claimed at the press.

Under the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006, workers are entitled to 5% of the company's profits.

Grameenphone has violated this law and failed to pay workers their dues, even after a High Court ruling ordered timely distribution and penalties for delays, they said.

However, Grameenphone also issued a statement on Tuesday saying that  the company has high regard for the judicial system and the demands that are being raised by some former employees are currently subject matters of various cases before the courts.

In the statement the company said, "For the last couple of months, some former employees of GP have been gathering in front of the GPHouse, raising various demands relating to employment and benefits.

To our knowledge, most of them separated from Grameenphone a long time ago and have received their lawful entitlements, it said.

Any legal proceedings will eventually be resolved through the court proceedings, it added.

While Grameenphone respects the right of peaceful association, these individuals illegally blocked the entry and exit ways of GP premises on several days, said the statement.

They also did the same on February 4, 2025, causing significant hindrance to the free movement of GP employees, suppliers and customers, keeping them stranded inside the office throughout the day until midnight, it added.

This has taken a toll on their health, with some employees falling sick. Grameenphone respects the law of the land and considers the safety and security of its employees and customers its highest priority, said the compay.

Law enforcement agencies deployed themselves around GP premises to protect individuals and property.

It has also come to our attention that these individuals are spreading misleading information about Grameenphone in media and in social media, claimed the company.