The IndustriALL Bangladesh Council (IBC) on 7 March (Sunday) demanded six months’ fully paid maternity leave for women workers employed in readymade garment factories in the country.
Media reports maintained this while also adding that at a discussion marking the International Women’s Day on ‘ILO convention-190 ratification’ at Dhaka Reporters Unity, a number of demands — stopping sexual harassment of female workers, ratifying ILO Convention 190, ensuring 40 per cent representation of women at every level of trade union and ensuring safe working environment besides ensuring social security (including providing fund and gratuity), not allowing any female worker to work after 10 pm as per the Government directives — were raised.
Pregnant workers are sacked without any financial benefits, reportedly, claimed the IBC while adding that women workers were threatened with dismissal when the news of pregnancy reached the owners (of the company) even as according to the written statement, women working in the apparel factories get four months’ maternity leave vis-a-vis women working at Government institutions, who, reportedly, get six months’ maternity leave.
