Labour unions mull tougher programme for wage hike

Twelve labour groups at the port have formed an organisation styled Burimari Land Port Workers Oikkyo Parishod to press their demands.

They have been holding processions and meetings almost every day, demanding fair wages from clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents.

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They have also urged the government department concerned to take steps to "compel" C&F agents to pay them Tk 40 per ton for loading and unloading against Tk 20 per ton fixed in 1995. The C&F agents are also deceiving them in many ways, some leaders of the Oikkya Parishad told this corespondent during a visit to the port on Tuesday. The present rate is too inadequate as cost of living has increased many times.

Actually C&F agents pay them Tk 10-15 per ton though they (C&F agents) realise Tk 20 from importers, they alleged.

Only a few of the 96 C&F agents at the land port pay them at the fixed rate, they said.

Repeated complaints to the authorities did not yield any result, they said. Whenever they complained, the C&F agents divided them through various tactics and foiled their movement, they alleged.

They will announce tougher programmes if their wages are not enhanced, they said.