Hotel, restaurant workers’ call protests for minimum wage Sunday

Hotel, restaurant workers stage protests in Bangladesh. UNB

Dhaka, Feb 14 -- Leaders of a platform representing hotel and restaurant workers have called for nationwide protest rallies on February 15 to press for implementation of the government-declared minimum wage and enforcement of labour laws in the sector.

The demonstrations will be held across the country on Sunday, with the central programme scheduled for 4:30pm in front of the National Press Club.

The protests have been announced to demand enforcement of the gazetted minimum wage for hotel and restaurant workers, issuance of appointment letters and identity cards, implementation of an eight-hour workday, execution of all signed agreements and effective application of labour laws.

In a press statement, organisers said workers in the sector have long been compelled to work without appointment letters or identity cards.

Although the law stipulates an eight-hour workday, employees are often made to work 12 to 14 hours in practice. They also alleged that many employers are openly violating the law by failing to implement the government-declared minimum wage.

The statement further claimed that workers are being deprived of due wages, leave and overtime payments.

It also expressed concern over alleged irregularities ahead of Ramadan, including layoffs, delayed payments and failure to provide festival bonuses equivalent to one month’s wage.

Leaders of the platform, including convener Akteruzzaman Khan and joint conveners Anwar Hossain and Tofazzal Hossain, urged hotel and restaurant workers across the country to join the rallies in large numbers in their respective areas to make the programme a success. - UNB