Protest of job seekers in Savar, traffic jam on the road

Job seekers also protested in front of the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) located in Savar, Dhaka.

Due to the protest from 7 am today, heavy traffic jam was created in an area of ​​at least 5 km on both sides of Nabinagar to Chandra highway. Later, they left the road around 3:30 pm on the assurance of law enforcement and Bepza authorities.

Due to this program concerned passengers and drivers suffered. Several factories around DEPZ have been closed. Members of the Army and Industrial Police were present there.

Job aspirants and DEPZ officials said that hundreds of people gathered in front of the old DEPZ and started protesting from this morning. They blocked traffic on both sides of the Nabinagar-Chandra highway with bamboos. At this time, heavy traffic jam was created on both sides of the highway. Army and Ashulia Industrial Police-1 personnel stationed inside the main gate of DEPZ tried to convince the protesters. They left the highway for 10 to 15 minutes around 11 am but later resumed the blockade.

Eyewitnesses said that job seekers took position in front of DEPZ since dawn. They blocked the main gate of the workers of several factories who came to join the work. Several people were also beaten up. Apart from this, some security guards of the new DEPZ were also alleged to have been beaten up.

Job aspirants and DEPZ officials said that hundreds of people gathered in front of the old DEPZ and started protesting from this morning. They blocked traffic on both sides of the Nabinagar-Chandra highway with bamboos. At this time, heavy traffic jam was created on both sides of the highway.

A job seeker, who did not want to be named, said, 'We have not made any trouble. We want jobs. All men and women should be given equal jobs here. We have been protesting for several days. Our demands are not being met.'

Talking to the officials of DEPZ, it is known that job seekers were asked to submit their CVs at one stage of the protest on Sunday. Many have also submitted their CVs. However, several people asked to take immediate action regarding the recruitment without submitting the CV. Today they refused to submit their CV despite being asked several times to submit it as per the rules.

The job seekers raised some other demands including ensuring equal participation of men and women in the workplace besides giving them job opportunities.

However, the data of Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) says that the total number of workers in Dhaka EPZ is 79 thousand 588 people. Among them 40 thousand 818 female workers and 38 thousand 770 male workers. As a percentage, 51 percent are women and the remaining 49 percent are male workers.

Efforts are being made to find a fair solution with the protesting job seekers with utmost sincerity, tolerance and sympathy on behalf of Bepja. But it is seen that while talking to one party, the other party is shouting slogans saying that they did not agree. Each group is presenting a different speech at a different time.

Bepza Executive Director (Public Relations) Anwar Parvez said that due to differences in work according to the organization, equal participation of men and women is not ensured. He said, workers are hired on the basis of merit in EPZ. There is no discrimination between men and women. An organization such as garments may need more women workers; So there are more female workers there. There are also some companies such as sweaters or accessories; There is a greater need for male workers.

Anwar Parvez said about the protest of job seekers, “Bepza is trying to find a fair solution with the protesting job seekers with utmost sincerity, tolerance and sympathy. But it is seen that while talking to one party, the other party is shouting slogans saying that they did not agree. Each group is presenting a different statement at a different time.'

Anwar Parvez also said that Bepza has its own helpline (16128); Where workers can raise any kind of complaints/grievances 24 hours a day. Bepza takes complaints into consideration and resolves them.

Bangladesh /SBT