Protests spread throughout the country

In the recent Tragedy 76 garment workers dead body were found but reality more. In that factory NGWF had 39 members and associate workers on which 5 dead and 12 injured. From the beginning we are very much involve and active. In the first stage we had 2 urgent things : hand over the dead body to their families, take care about the treatment of the injured . We did it and doing according to our capacity. Second thing was spontaneous protest. In the mean time NGWF organized 2 press conferences along and jointly. 3 central demonstrations in capital city Dhaka. 2 demonstrations in SAVAR. 5 demonstrations in our garment industrial districts and areas.

Day before yesterday NGWF took decision to stronger this protest, bring the protest in whole country ( garment industrial areas ), make resistance, unite the workers and other forces in support of this protest. According to that decision, Today 22 April NGWF organized " Country-wide Protest And Condolence Day ". As a form of this program , NGWF organized Protest And Condolence Rally in Dhaka on which more than 500 workers participated. Participant carried RED and Black Flag - that,s the sign of protest and sorry. Some of the left leaders and other trade union leaders also present to express their solidarity. Out side Dhaka Same type of actions also organized in Chitagong, Savar, Narayangong and Gazipur - these are the main garment industrial areas outside Dhaka.

From today program NGWF declare Country-wide FUNURAN PRAYER DAY WITHOUT BODY on 25 th April. On that day another program will be declare. According to NGWF decision : coming programs will be 1. Blocking the office of chief inspector of factories - its responsible to inspections the garment factories to look after all the things.2. Blocking the ministry of Labour. 3. Blocking the ministry of Industries.4.Blocking the ministry of Home Affairs 5. Blocking the BGMEA ( Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and exporters Association ).6. Memorandum/ Blocking the prime ministers office. After these maybe STRIKE. All these actions will be step by step and will be declare one after another.

NGWF also decided to publicize 3 publications. These are : 1. 50,000 poster with the picture of dead bodies - that will strike the mind of garment workers and peoples. 2. 100,000 leaflets same matter and cause. 3. 10,000 separate leaflets for the 6,000 garment workers of that 2 factories and local peoples - so that they can not misguide by the management fall statement and commitment.

Our demands are :
1. Arrest of the owners.
2. Inquiry committee with the participation of trade unions.
3. Compensation Tk. 200,000 for each family of the dead.
4. Proper treatment for the injured.
5. Payment of outstanding payment of monthly wage of March and April and overtime payment of February, March and April.
6. Job security with wages or compensations according to the Law for the whole workers.
7. Tripartite inspection committee to inspects the all garment factories to ensure the workers security and improvement of working conditions.

Besides the publications of the mentioned 3 things and to organize the all next actions NGWF also need to support the victim families, Injured members & workers .

In solidarity
Amirul Haque Amin
General Secretary
National Garments Workers Federation
Bangladesh
22.04.05