For the first time under the interim government, Grameenphone, the country’s leading mobile operator, has contributed BDT 245.5 million to the Workers’ Welfare Fund. The formal handover took place on Sunday, September 29, at the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s conference room. A symbolic cheque amounting to BDT 244,457,442 was presented as part of the company’s mandatory contribution from its 2023 Workers’ Profit Participation Fund (WPPF).
Syeda Tahiya Hossain, Chief Human Resources Officer of Grameenphone, handed over the cheque to Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Advisor to the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The contribution represents 10% of Grameenphone’s WPPF for 2023.
A.H.M. Shafiquzzaman, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Director General of the Department of Labour Tariqul Alam, Director General of the Bangladesh Workers’ Welfare Foundation Fahmida Akhtar, and other officials from both institutions were present at the event. Representatives from Grameenphone included Mohammad Aulad Hossain, Head of Industrial Relations and Culture, Mohammad Khaled Mridha, Head of Compensation and Benefits, Senior Industrial Relations Expert Muhammad Tawhidul Islam, and Industrial Relations Expert Md. Harun Or Rashid.
During the event, Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan highlighted that, to date, 30,285 workers have received assistance from the Workers’ Welfare Foundation, with a total of BDT 1.41 billion disbursed. Currently, the fund holds BDT 10.26 billion.
He noted that many workers remain unaware of the existence of the Workers’ Welfare Fund and how to access it. He emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in ensuring that the fund’s resources are distributed properly, and mentioned ongoing efforts to digitize the fund management system.
The advisor further mentioned that businesses not yet contributing to the fund would soon be brought into the fold, ensuring accountability for all enterprises. “We are working for the overall betterment of workers, and this will continue,” he stated.
Syeda Tahiya Hossain, Grameenphone’s Chief Human Resources Officer, commented, “As a responsible corporate citizen, Grameenphone is committed to its duties beyond connectivity. We are equally dedicated to empowering a diverse and digitally adept future workforce. This contribution reflects our commitment to ensuring safety for all employees and fostering an inclusive work environment. We believe that collective efforts can bring about real change, and we are determined to build a prosperous and bright future for all, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment.”
In addition, Labour Secretary A.H.M. Shafiquzzaman shared updates on ongoing efforts to improve workers’ welfare, particularly regarding a long-standing demand for a rationing system. He announced that the government would soon launch a pilot initiative on October 1 in Ashulia to distribute products from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) to workers. This will eventually be extended to 4 million workers in labour-intensive areas, providing them access to essential goods at fair prices.
Under Bangladesh labour law, both domestic and multinational companies are required to contribute 0.5% of their annual profits to the Workers’ Welfare Fund. Since its inception, Grameenphone has consistently contributed to the fund, making a total contribution of BDT 2.39 billion to date as one of the top contributors.
