Dismissed Grameenphone Workers Vow to Secure Dues Through Protests
Dismissed employees of Grameenphone have pledged to reclaim their unpaid dues “at any cost,” even if it means risking their lives. The declaration came during a pre-announced long march on Sunday, held in front of GP House at Bashundhara, Baridhara.
The Grameenphone Workers Unity Council, comprising dismissed and aggrieved employees, initiated a three-day protest to demand the distribution of a delayed penalty for their 5% profit-sharing fund.
Warning the company’s management, Abu Sadat Mohammad Shoaib, a former senior territory manager, stated, “Everyone here is a lion. Don’t provoke the lion by scratching it with its own tail. When the lion turns, we will shake the ground beneath your feet. This game won’t last long. Sit down for discussions, or the game will change dramatically.”
Mubashwer Ahsan, a senior system engineer, criticized the company’s conduct, saying, “If Grameenphone claims to be a compliant company, why are we forced to seek justice in court and protest in the streets to claim what is rightfully ours? The current management has resorted to shameless behavior under the guise of brand value.”
Addressing Grameenphone as “Dear Grameenphone,” territory manager Tanvir Hasan drew historical parallels, saying, “From Nawab Alivardi Khan to the oppressors in Bengal, figures like Titumir and Surya Sen have risen to resist them. Therefore, resolve our dues through discussion, as history won’t forget this exploitation.”
Leaders of the workers alleged that Grameenphone violated a 2010 government directive by not distributing 5% of the company’s profit to employees and instead filed a legal writ (3466/2011). While the court’s ruling and subsequent protests in 2014 forced the company to distribute the principal amount in 2015, it delayed resolving the penalty issue through legal loopholes. In 2023, Grameenphone withdrew the unresolved writ, effectively admitting to its violation of the law. Despite this, the penalty amount remains unpaid.
The protesters also accused certain Grameenphone officials, backed by pro-government union leaders, of forcing employees out of their jobs through unethical practices. They alleged that CEO Yasir Azman, using political and bureaucratic connections, has facilitated large-scale layoffs, evaded taxes worth billions of takas, and exploited workers in violation of the law.
The protest leaders urged Grameenphone to engage in immediate discussions to resolve the issue. They warned of escalated demonstrations if their demands are not met promptly.
The dismissed workers have been staging continuous protests since December 2, 2023, with a three-point charter of demands. On the first day of the current protest, the workers organized a rally and demonstration outside GP House.
