Latest Campaign & Action for the the Bangladeshi garments workers

In Bangladesh, National Garments Workers Federation started a
Campaign & Action for the Festival Bonus for the garment
workers. Through a press conference the federation announced this
programs.The press conference held today 11 th November,2002 in its
central office. It was addressed by the general secretary Amirul Haque
Amin.Among others Kazi Mohammad Ali, Miss Shahida Sarker,Mojibur Rahman
Pintu,Miss Nurun Nahar,Mrs Arifa Akter and Alam Kabir were present.

The federation mentioned, " It is the month of Fasting(Ramjan).After the
fasting month-main festival "EID". All the workers and imployees both
public and private received festival bonus in this festival.This bonus is
equavalant to One month salary.Every where it is established.Only in the
garment sector is different.1.6 million garment workers worked in 3300
garment factories. Majority of the garment owners do not provide Festival
Bonus for the workers.Some owners provide bonus but half and some of them
provide sulmp sum.

In the name of bad condition,Most of the owners are trying to deprive the
workers from the bonus."

In this critical position , the federation started this program for the
realisation of the festival bonus. In the press conference the federation
urged to the garment owners and BGMEA to give Festival Bonus, Wages of
November and all outstanding wages within 2nd of the December.

Main festival EID will be held on 6th December.

The federation also announced the programs as follows:

Nov.12 th to 14 th.: Group meetings of garment workers.

Nov.15th : Festival Bonus Publicity Day.

Nov.16th to 21st : Gate meetings.

Nov.22nd : Festival Bonus Demand Day.

Nov.23rd to 29th : Garment workers Rally in garment industrial zones.

Nov. 30th : Memorandum to the BGMEA.

From 1st dec. : Agitation.

The picture of the press conference is in the attached file.

* Send solidarity message to the garment workers.

* Write to the MNC,s to put pressure their Bangladeshi sub contactors for
the workers festival bonus.

In solidarity

Amirul Haque Amin

General secretary

National Garments Workers Federation

E-Mail: ngwf@aitlbd.net