Shipbreakers demand minimum wage gazette, safer workplaces
A similar demonstration was held in Sitakunda’s Baro Aulia area on 23 June over the same four-point demand.
Shipbreakers have demanded the immediate publication of the final gazette on the sector's minimum wage, along with appointment letters, identity cards, statutory paid leave and improved workplace safety.
They made the demands today (7 August) at a human chain and rally in front of the Chattogram Press Club, organised by the Shipbreaking Workers Trade Union Forum with support from the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS).
Workers from different shipbreaking yards, trade union leaders and labour rights activists attended the programme. A similar demonstration was held in Sitakunda's Baro Aulia area on 23 June over the same four-point demand.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The workers called on the government to publish and implement the final gazette on the minimum wage, issue appointment letters and identity cards to all workers, ensure legally mandated paid leave, and improve occupational health and safety in line with international standards.
The rally was chaired by Tapan Dutta, convener of the Shipbreaking Workers Trade Union Forum, and moderated by Fazlul Kabir Mintu, coordinator of the Occupational Health and Safety Information Centre for Shipbreaking Workers.
Addressing the rally, Tapan Dutta said the shipbreaking industry makes a significant contribution to the country's economy, but its workers continue to face low wages and unsafe working conditions.
"Although a draft gazette on the sector's minimum wage was published on 7 January this year, the final gazette has yet to be issued," he said, adding that the delay was preventing workers from receiving their rightful wages.
He also urged the authorities to ensure proper safety measures, training and adequate personal protective equipment in shipbreaking yards in line with international standards.
AM Nazim Uddin, president of the Chattogram divisional committee of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, said most shipbreaking workers still do not receive appointment letters or identity cards, leaving them deprived of legal rights, compensation and social protection under labour laws.
He also called for effective implementation of statutory paid leave, including weekly, festival and casual leave.
Other speakers said many shipbreaking yards still lack adequate safety measures, training and protective equipment, exposing workers to serious occupational hazards.
They urged the government and relevant authorities to implement the demands without delay, warning that workers would announce tougher protest programmes if their demands remain unmet.
