Grameenphone employees threaten nationwide movement

Grameenphone Employees Union (GPEU) has called for a nationwide movement if Mia Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman Masud, general secretary of GPU, is not reinstated by 1 November.

The union leaders and workers made the call at a press conference held at the National Press Club on Saturday (31 October).

"This farce has been going on since 2012 which we have resisted so far," Matuz Ali Qaderi, organising secretary of GPEU, said at the press conference, adding that Mia Masood has been at the forefront of resisting the unjust pruning of the telecom organisation and this is why he was terminated.

According to an earlier press release issued by GPEU, Mia Masood was sacked on 27 October under Section 26 of the Labour Act-2006 as he tried to stop the massive layoff by the telecommunications company.
Fazlul Haque, acting president of GPEU, said, "The first Bangladeshi CEO of Grameenphone has fired the leader of Grameenphone Employees Union in order to implement the master plan of retrenchment and make more profit."

"Other employees dare not protest. Whether I go back to work or not, the movement against injustice must continue," terminated leader Mia Masood, said, adding that, "Those who lead a labour union are always the first target of an attack."

Apart from Mia Masud, the Grameenphone Employees Union demanded the reinstatement of 182 other employees who have recently lost their jobs.

The press conference was attended by more than 100 Grameenphone employees and leaders of the organisation.

It has been known that Mia Masud was given a letter of dismissal from the Grameenphone's Human Resources Department on 26 October which came into effect since that day. The letter also said that his dues will be paid within the next 30 working days.
Earlier on 29 October, Grameenphone Employees Union (GPEU) held a human chain and a sit-in in front of the National Labour Building and the day before they formed a human chain in front of its GP headquarters in Bashundhara area.