Protesters Demand Tk 33,147 Crore Delay Fees; GP Reaffirms Respect for Sub-Judice Process
Ex-Employees of Grameenphone Submit Memorandum to BIDA Demanding 5% Dues
- Grameenphone's former staff continue peaceful protests at BIDA headquarters following rallies at BTRC and NBR
- Claim Tk 33,147 crore in pending dues and interest under the Bangladesh Labour Act
- Grameenphone states issues are sub-judice and expects resolution through high court directives
9 August, Sunday: Former employees of Grameenphone held a peaceful demonstration and submitted a formal memorandum outside the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) headquarters in Agargaon today, August 9. Following earlier protests at BTRC in July and NBR on August 3, the group gathered at BIDA to demand state intervention regarding their 5% Workers' Profit Participation Fund (WPPF) and delayed interest payments.
The rally was spearheaded by the "Grameenphone 5% Delayed Dues Realization Unity Council," with key members Khalid Rahman, Fazlul Karim, and Abu Shahadat Shoeb present.
Representing the group, Adiba Zerin stated, "BIDA's regulatory oversight should extend beyond facilitating foreign direct investment to ensuring that multinational entities strictly comply with national labor laws. A foreign-owned enterprise should not be permitted to repatriate profits abroad without settling the lawful dues of local employees."
Speakers highlighted that mobile operators were recognized as industrial undertakings in 2010, entitling staff to 5% profit distribution under labor regulations. While GP challenged the gazette initially, the writ was withdrawn in March 2023. The protestors claim that statutory interest for delayed disbursement over the years now amounts to approximately Tk 33,147 crore, impacting nearly 4,000 former staff. They also raised concerns over the arrest of several former colleagues on June 27 and 30, urging the withdrawal of harassing police cases.
Grameenphone's Response: In response to the developments, Grameenphone issued an official clarification stating that the company maintains full faith in the country's judicial framework. The operator noted that most protesting former staff voluntarily left the company years ago and accepted their final settlements in full accord with the law.
Regarding the WPPF claim, GP stated that while the initial writ was pending, the GP Peoples Council (the elected employee body) agreed on a mutual settlement, rendering the initial petition moot. However, as former employees later filed claims seeking additional interest payments, GP filed a fresh writ petition seeking high court interpretation. Grameenphone emphasized that since the matter remains sub-judice, it awaits resolution through the formal legal process.
//DBTech/BTS/MSI//
