Gazipur:Jatiya Shramik Shakti has called for a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000 for garment workers, cautioning the government against using force to quell the ongoing workers' movement.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the organization's Member Secretary, Riyaz Morshed, warned that any attempts to suppress the movement could lead to a situation where Tarique Rahman would find no escape. Morshed made these remarks during a press conference at Gazipur Chowrasta, alleging that Rahman had returned to Bangladesh from London on the back of a student-worker-public movement, yet workers now face force for participating in peaceful protests.
Jatiya Sramik Shakti, the labor wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP), expressed dissatisfaction with the selection of workers' representatives to the wage board, claiming they would not adequately protect workers' interests. Chief Organizer Arman Hossain emphasized that Tk 30,000 is necessary for workers to lead a healthy life amid increasing living costs, adding that a proper rationing system would have averted the need for street protests for higher wages.
Abdullah Al Muhim, joint member secretary of the Gazipur metropolitan unit of the NCP, urged authorities to focus on preventing public processions by Awami League supporters instead of seeking alleged links to the party in the workers' legitimate movement. The organization urged the government to promptly meet workers' demands and take steps to increase wages peacefully. Central and local leaders of Jatiya Shramik Shakti were present at the press conference.