Workers, Activists Rally for Release of Bangladesh Labor Rights Leaders

Jeff Vogt, associate director of AFL-CIO International Department, reports on today’s rally at the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington, D.C.

Some 30 trade union and labor activists from the AFL-CIO, AFT, International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF), United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS) and others rallied in front of the Embassy of Bangladesh today to protest the continued imprisonment on unsubstantiated charges of the leaders of the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity (BCWS).

The arrests of Kalpona Akter and Babul Ahkter follow recent worker protests over minimum wages in the ready-made garment industry. The police rounded up the BCWS leaders even though they were were not involved in destroying property during one such protest rally. The move appears to be part of an overall strategy to intimidate and chill legitimate workers’ rights activity in the industry. 

The government recently has taken away the labor rights organization’s registration. BCWS and other workers’ rights groups in Bagladesh report that another BCWS leader was detained and tortured. While the leader was detained, BCWS says authorities unsuccessfully attempted to force a confession that would implicate the group’s leadership of illegal activity.

At 20 cents per hour, garment workers’ wages are by far the lowest of any major apparel producing country. Often, workers are not even paid. They also face hazardous working conditions, and several lost their lives recently in major factory fires.

Rally organizers promised to return to the embassy until BCWS leaders are released.

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