Workers Continue Protest Against Grameenphone Over Outstanding Dues Since Eid

Workers claiming outstanding dues from Grameenphone have continued their protest movement that began on Eid-ul-Azha. The protesters said they are carrying out daily programmes to realise their legitimate dues, including a 5 percent delayed arrears adjustment. Leaders of the movement said during Monday’s (June 22) programme that the peaceful protest would continue until their demands are met.

In addition to a sit-in programme in front of GP House, Grameenphone’s headquarters at the entrance of Bashundhara Residential Area in the capital, protest activities were also held in Chattogram, Bogura, Rajshahi and Mymensingh. Protesters are also expressing their grievances through social media campaigns and graffiti displayed in different locations.

During a peaceful demonstration in front of Grameenphone’s regional office in Chattogram, several participants symbolically threw shoes at photographs of Grameenphone Chief Executive Officer Yasir Azman and acting CBA President Fazlul Haque Fazlu as a sign of protest.

According to the protesters, Grameenphone, one of the country’s largest telecommunications operators, regularly promotes messages of humanity, social responsibility and public welfare through its advertisements and corporate campaigns. However, they allege that the company has failed to take effective measures to settle workers’ legitimate dues for a prolonged period.

As part of the protest, graffiti has appeared in different areas. One widely discussed message reads: “Grameenphone, campaign full of emotion, posters full of humanity, but in reality, workers face deprivation.” Protesters say the message highlights what they describe as a contradiction between the company’s public image and its treatment of workers.

The workers claim there is a significant gap between the company’s corporate social responsibility messaging and the reality of unpaid dues. They also allege that a large number of police personnel have been deployed around GP House despite the movement being conducted peacefully.

According to the protesters, most participants are middle-aged individuals who have been waiting for their dues for years. They urged Telenor to resolve the issue promptly through an alternative dispute resolution mechanism, warning that continued inaction could affect public trust and confidence.

The protesters said they have organised various programmes, including symbolic demonstrations wearing burial shrouds, prayer gatherings, tree plantation activities, public reading events and protest songs and poetry. They added that the movement will continue until they receive a specific assurance regarding the settlement of their claims.

But in a statement, Grameenphone's concerned officials said, "At various times over the past few months, some former employees of GP gathered in front of the GPHouse, raising various demands relating to employment and benefits. To our knowledge, most of them separated from Grameenphone a long time ago and have received their lawful entitlements. Also, the demands that are being raised by these individuals are currently subject matters of various cases before the Hon'ble courts. Grameenphone has high regard for the judicial system. Therefore, any legal proceedings will eventually be resolved through the court proceedings. It has come to our attention that these individuals are spreading misleading information about Grameenphone in media and in social media."

//DBTech/AZ/MI//