Former Grameenphone Employees Hold Peaceful Solidarity Program on International Women’s Day
On International Women’s Day, former Grameenphone employees held a peaceful solidarity program in front of GP House at the ‘5% Courtyard’ near Bashundhara Residential Area in Dhaka. Under the theme “Unstoppable Women Power to Protect Rights,” both female and male former employees participated spontaneously, expressing solidarity in their long-standing demand for rightful dues.
The program, organized on March 8, Sunday, was held on behalf of the Grameenphone 5% Delayed Dues Recovery Unity Council. About 30 former employees attended the assembly, which took place from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Female employees stood separately in front of banners to voice their grievances. The women collectively stated that until their dues are fully recognized and justice is ensured, their movement will continue peacefully and democratically, emphasizing that they will persist in the program with the strength of truth and justice.
Recalling the events of February 25, Communication Secretary of the Grameenphone Employees Union (GPEU), Adeeba Zerin Chowdhury, said, “International Women’s Day is not merely a celebration, but a real acknowledgment. Any organization should ensure human rights, justice, ethical practice, and empathy for employees before proclaiming the significance of Women’s Day. Attacking workers with water cannons, arrests, and false cases simply for demanding their rightful dues where women protesters have also been arrested and charged with false cases and then celebrating International Women’s Day exposes nothing but corporate hypocrisy.
The solidarity assembly declared that unless Grameenphone ends such hypocrisy, GP House will be continuously blockaded through programs after Eid if necessary. Abu Sadat Md. Shoaib, convener of the Grameenphone 5% Delayed Dues Recovery Unity Council, stated that the former employees have been conducting this continuous program for 1 year and 7 days. While all government departments and policymakers were aware of the matter, no action was taken during the interim government period. They now believe the elected government will take the matter seriously.
He added, “We have been running a peaceful movement for a long time demanding the 5% delayed dues. After commemorating the tragic attack on February 25, today’s protest is significant in opposing the assault on women. While women’s rights and dignity are being emphasized globally, women employees in a major corporate organization are still deprived of their rightful claims, which is deeply unfortunate.”
The protesters emphasized that their struggle is not for personal gain but for rightful claims, human dignity, and the rule of law. They believe that only dialogue and justice can resolve this long-standing dues issue.
Notably, the background of this movement traces back to February 25 last year, when a peaceful human chain in front of GP House was met with unexpected lathi-charge and water cannon use. In that incident, 11 people, including three educated and respected women, were arrested, and cases were filed against 29 individuals.
Speakers at today’s program called for public apology and acknowledgment of regret from those responsible for that day’s incident. They stated that as a responsible organization, Grameenphone should act humanely and take steps toward a proper and fair resolution of the issue.
DBTech/IH/MUM/OR
