Shipbreaking workers demand Eid bonus by March 15

Shipbreaking workers today staged a rally and formed a human chain in the Hafiz Gate area of Bar Aulia in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram, demanding their Eid-ul-Fitr bonuses be paid by March 15.

The programme was organised by the Shipbreaking Workers’ Trade Union Forum with support from the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS).

The rally was presided over by the forum’s joint convener AM Nazim Uddin.

Addressing the programme, Nazim Uddin said that except for a few established yards, most shipbreaking yard authorities do not regularly pay Eid bonuses, leaving many workers uncertain about celebrating Eid each year.

He said that although shipbreaking is a high-risk job, workers continue to face poor living conditions, low wages and weak safety measures.

Nazim added that Bangladesh’s shipbreaking industry is moving towards environmentally compliant “green” yards, but workers and their organisations have not been properly included in this process.

Among others, workers’ leaders Rizwanur Rahman Khan, Didarul Alam Chowdhury, Mahbubul Haque Chowdhury, Fazlul Kabir Mintu, KM Shahidullah, Manik Mondol and Md Raju spoke at the programme.

The speakers also raised several demands, including setting the minimum wage for shipbreaking workers at Tk 36,000, providing written appointment letters and ID cards, ensuring weekly paid leave, and improving occupational health and safety measures.