Outsourced, daily-wage, and project-based workers have begun a mass procession on Saturday morning, demanding job security and the abolition of the contractor system in government and semi-autonomous institutions.
The rally started around 10:00am in Shahbagh. Outsourced workers from across the country began gathering at Shahbagh in the early morning.
Thousands of people holding various banners and posters were seen in front of the Bangladesh National Museum.
Most of the workers work in positions such as meter readers, drivers, cooks, domestic helpers, or other occupations.
During the rally, they chanted slogans like, "No more contracts, now we want freedom," "Who are you, who am I? Exploited, exploited," "Government will pay salary, no need for contractors."
Gaziur Rahman, who works as a meter reader and bill distributor at Northern Electricity Supply Company (NESCO), came from Rajshahi to join the procession.
"Slavery was abolished in Chicago centuries ago. In Bangladesh, Labour Day is observed on 1 May, but this country still has slavery. We want freedom from this slavery," he said,
When asked about why he used the word "slavery," he explained, "We join our jobs through contractors. After joining, the contractor disappears. The institution also does not take responsibility for us. We have no salary, allowance, or benefits. On top of that, our job can be terminated anytime. When we try to discuss this with the contractor, they tell us to go to the institution. When we go to the institution, they say, 'You are not our people.'"
Mohammad Shashsul Haque, who works in the kitchen at Rangpur Textile Engineering College, told Stream, "Firstly, we have no job security. Second, there is no bonus or allowance. Our salary does not increase. Moreover, the constructor deducts a commission from our salary. That is why we demand the abolition of the contractor system."
The outsourced workers came up with five demands-
1. The contractor system for outsourced, daily-wage, and project-based workers must be abolished. Workers should be recruited directly through the institution with clear policy guidelines ensuring job security.
2. There should be no two-tier benefits for the same work. Equal benefits must be provided. Employees cannot be dismissed arbitrarily. Experienced workers should not be laid off due to new tenders or contracts. Policies must explicitly state this.
3. All pending salaries and allowances must be paid promptly, and monthly dues must be cleared by the 7th of the following month. This should be considered a binding instruction from the institution.
4. Workers who were unfairly dismissed must be reinstated. Policies must explicitly mandate overtime pay for work beyond regular hours, including on holidays.
5. Recommendations of the Labour Reform Commission for establishing workers' rights must be implemented promptly.
Outsourced workers in Bangladesh are employed by third-party contractors rather than directly by the principal companies.
The Finance Division introduced an outsourcing policy in 2008, which was amended in 2018 to include more detailed guidelines.
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