The 12th biannual Congress of the National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF) was held in Dhaka on 1st february.2013) with a vow to establish ‘SAFE WORKPLACE ’ , “ TRADE UNION RIGHTS “ and “ LIVING WAGE “ in Garment sector of Bangladesh. Several thousand garment workers, mostly women, from all Garment industrial areas participated in the Congress inaugural ceremony, which was held at ‘Russell Mancha (stage)’ at Topkhana area.
Presided over by NGWF President Amirul Haque Amin, the Congress was inaugurated by veteran labour leader and President of National Workers Federation Safuiqur Rahman Majumder. The inaugural session was addressed by Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon MP, representative of Belgian trade union movement Dr Tariquzzaman and Bangladesh Garment Workers Unity Council Coordinator M Delowar Hossain. NGWF General Secretary Ms Safia Parvin gave welcome address. NGWF Joint Secretary Ms Sultana Akter conducted the Congress, which was attended by leaders of different trade union organizations.
NGWF brought out a massive colorful procession after the inaugural session. The procession was concluded at the Congress venue after parading important streets of the city. The Council (working) session of the Congress was held at Shaheed Tajul auditorium at Purana Paltan area after the inaugural session.
The Council session of the Congress began with adoption of condolence resolution showing respect to the memory workers, who died in factory fire and accidents while on duty after the previous Congress in 2009. The working session was participated by 135 delegates, who came from different parts of the country. 21 delegates spoke at the session highlighting important issues and organizational aspects. The working session was also presided over by NGWF President Amirul Haque Amin.
The Congress resolved to launch movement in the next 2-years to establish garment factory as ‘safe workplace’, “ factory based unions”, “introduce living wage” for garment workers, “free trade union rights”,” equal right for women workers”, introduce” social security for workers” and provident fund, service benefit & gratuity for workers, introduce full rationing (supplying essential commodities at cheaper price) system for workers, establish garment workers’ dormitory and housing facility, 6-month paid maternity leave for women workers, introduce paternity leave, Job security , Transportation for the workers and fair Price of Bangladeshi RMG products from the MNC,s. as well as tax free access in USA market for RMG.
In his presidential speech, Amirul Haque Amin urged the workers to get united under the banner of NGWF in order to establish their rights and improve living standard.
He demanded of the government, BGMEA and buyers to undertake program in collaboration with the trade unions to establish ‘safe workplace’ in garment factories in order to avert workers’ death in factory fires & factory accidents immediately.
He also urged for establishing “Garment workers welfare fund” with participation from the government, BGMEA and buyers to finance compensation to victim workers and their families.
At the last session of the Council, delegates elected a 30-member central executive committee and a 101-member National Committee of the NGWF. The National Committee is a newly established forum, which will meet once in every 6-month with a view to strengthen organizational activities, transparency and participation of decision making and labour movement with greater participation from across the country.
Of the 30-member newly elected NGWF central executive committee, 17 are women. Amirul Haque Amin was reelected President of the NGWF central executive committee. Ms Nurun Nahar was elected as Senior Vice-President, Ms Safia Parvin was reelected as General Secretary, Ms Sultana Akter was elected Joint Secretary while Ms Nasima Akter Treasurer.
Press secretary, NGWF, 02.02.13