Saiful Islam : Workers of five closed factories under Lithi Group held a press conference demanding the swift implementation of the Ministry of Labour and Employment`s decision to determine and settle their legal dues. They also alleged negligence by the relevant authorities and called for immediate and effective action.

Speaking at a press conference held in front of the National Press Club on Thursday (July 30), labour leaders said that at a meeting chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment on July 6, it was decided that another meeting would be held on July 23 to finalize the workers` outstanding dues. However, as the scheduled meeting did not take place, thousands of workers and their families have been left in a state of extreme uncertainty.

On behalf of the workers, four demands were presented at the press conference. They called for: the immediate rescheduling of the postponed July 23 meeting and disclosure of the reasons behind its postponement; prompt payment of all legal dues and service benefits in accordance with the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006; an end to any attempts to force workers into unwanted settlements through intimidation or pressure; and an impartial investigation into the alleged incidents surrounding the settlement process at the Industrial Police office, followed by legal action against those found responsible.

Worker representatives said that prolonged non-payment of their dues has pushed their families into severe financial hardship and inhumane living conditions. They urged the Ministry of Labour and Employment and other relevant high-level authorities to intervene immediately to protect the livelihoods of the affected workers.

Among those present at the press conference were labour leaders Shafiul Islam, Azizul Islam, Ashraful Zaman, Parvez, Fazlur Rahman, Delwar Hossain, Abdul Kaiyum, Farhad Hossain, Abdul Aziz, and other affected workers.