Subsequent to Bangladesh Government allowing all export-oriented industries including the readymade garment sector to resume operation even as the countrywide COVID-19 lockdown has, reportedly, been extended till 10 August, a platform of over a dozen labour rights bodies, the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad or the SKOP, has called for making arrangements for COVID treatment of garment workers while also demanding priority-based vaccination for them, extra allowance (corona risk allowance) and proper compensation in case of death due to coronavirus.
Media reports maintained this adding the SKOP leaders, which included General Secretary of Bangladesh Trade Union Sangha, Chowdhury Ashikul Alam; President of Samajtantrik Sramik Front, Razequzzaman Ratan; President of Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation, Nazma Akter; President of Jatiya Sramik Jote Bangladesh, Saifuzzaman Badsha; and Convenor of Garments Sramik and Shilpa Rokkha Jatiya Moncha, Abul Hossain, amongst others, made these demands on 6 August while organising a demonstration in front of the Jatiya Press Club.
The labour leaders also, reportedly, strongly criticised the decision to open up the factories even as the public transportation remains suspended.
