01 February 2019 Immediate solidarity with workers in Bangladesh is needed! Donate to the sewers! Support our Solidarity Fund! Workers after a meeting in the office of the FEMNET partner organisation BCWS. Photo: S. Marx ⁇ FEMNET Bonn. Workers protesting for the lawful implementation of wage increases are currently being fired, detained and harassed. The Bangladeshi trade union NGWF informs FEMNET: Hundreds of workers were arrested. The 4,000 workers were indicted. More than 30 workers have been sued in court. About 7,000 workers were laid off. On 1 February 2019, the NGWF union protested and called for the arrested workers to be immediately released, false accusations to be withdrawn and dismissed workers to be reinstated. In response to workers' strikes in the textile industry, factory owners accused strike leaders and other unwelcome workers of rampaging in the factory. ‘There are simply lists displayed at the gate with photos and names of workers who are no longer allowed to come to work. Especially people who are uncomfortable with management, trade unionists and employees who are campaigning for the rights of their colleagues or pregnant women who are about to go on maternity leave,’ the workers say. Many are also accused under pretexts: “We were unjustly accused by management of rioting in the factory. Since then, an arrest warrant has been issued against us and we no longer dare to go home because we are arrested there. We do not know how to defend ourselves against it!” Trade union demonstration in Bangladesh on 01.02.2019. Photo: © NGWF The arrested and accused seamstresses cannot afford bail or legal fees. The affected workers and their families need immediate legal assistance! FEMNET is calling for donations to support our trade union and civil society partners who stand up for the detainees and fight for the lawful payment of wages for all workers. Support our Legal Aid Fund/Solidarity Fund! More information about the NGWF trade union More information about BCWS background Since 1.12.2018, minimum wages of 8000,- Taka (about 83,- EUR) are to be paid, the unions had demanded twice (16,000,- Taka). Since then, the workers have been demonstrating, especially in the factories where the increase in the minimum wage has not yet been implemented in December. More information can be found here.
