Industry
Permanent solution crucial for resolving wage and bonus crisis of factory workers
Every year, before Eid, factory workers take to the streets over their unpaid wages and bonuses. In many factories in Gazipur, Ashulia, and Savar, workers' wages and bonuses are not paid before Eid. As a result, they protest on the streets. This is an issue we witness every year in one form or another.
Make the right decision through technical query
The government and the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) are apparently in a state of muddle over the reform of the telecommunications sector. In the meantime, mobile operators are trying to ensure the future control of their business by 'seizing the opportunity'. I am using the word 'seizing the opportunity' because despite repeated attempts during the previous two political governments, mobile operators did not get the desired decision in their favor. Now they are trying to cash in on the situation if they can somehow implement their desired decision during the interim government. Such an attempt has clearly been observed since the current government took office. On the other hand, network transmission operators built with domestic investment, interconnection exchanges, international gateways, and international internet gateway operators, want to preserve the existence of their systems.
Will irregularities, corruption during past regime really be unveiled?
After the July Uprising, many questions have been raised about what has happened in the information and telecommunications technology sector of Bangladesh in the past 15 years and how much corruption has occurred. As a journalist, I have reported the irregularities I found while performing my professional duties; but during the period of the ousted autocratic government, it was not easy for journalists to get information about irregularities and corruption. Perhaps, the officials of the current interim government are also facing the challenge of getting that information from the past. That is why, despite raising many allegations of irregularities and corruption, very little specific information has come to the public from the government so far. An investigation committee was formed during the current government's period. One or two committees have also submitted reports; but the reports of those committees have not come to the fore.
Deficits and tariffs: Trump confusions and what can be done about them
The US has a persistent trade deficit with Sri Lanka. Despite almost universal agreement among economists that trade deficits, especially between two countries, are not meaningful, President Trump believes otherwise. As he assumed office, he asked his officials to “investigate and remedy” persistent US trade deficits. Sri Lanka-US trade shows a deficit of USD 2.6 billion following an increase of 6.3 percent in 2024. Sri Lanka was responsible for 0.28 percent of the total US trade deficit. Even if it were eliminated, there would be no discernible impact on the total.
Why PII and Sovereign Data may not be suitable to keep in foreign owned Data Centres?
Foreign-owned data centers may still be subject to the laws and regulations of the country where the parent company is based. This can lead to conflicts and complications in legal matters, as the data might be accessible to foreign governments under their jurisdiction.
Teachers, researchers duped by fake conferences run from India
The titles of the conferences are well-thought-out and timely. The names of the organizing bodies are also attractive. The websites of these organizations are well-designed and professional, making it easy for anyone to believe that they are legitimate international research institutions or organizations. However, in reality, these sites are traps set by an organized fraud network. Every year, they list nearly a hundred conferences on their websites, collecting conference fees and defrauding participants out of hundreds of dollars. This organized group operates through almost 20 different websites under various names. According to Views Bangladesh's investigation, the group is being run from India. Members of this scam network are spread across several countries. The investigation also found evidence that a Bangladeshi citizen is involved with this fraudulent group. One of the scammers' websites, “Sciencesociety.co”has the profile of a Bangladeshi individual who works as a faculty member at a private university.
Where is the telecom industry heading: Who will control it?
The statistics grab headlines effortlessly: “Mobile internet subscriber base declines by 4.4 million.” As the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) regularly publishes data on mobile telecommunications and broadband subscribers, journalists have easy access to these numbers. By comparing data month over month, crafting a market report becomes straightforward. Mobile operators’ officials often provide insights into the business impact of subscriber fluctuations, and at times, analysts react emotionally to the figures without deeper understanding. When such reports make headlines, even the general public, regardless of comprehension, starts worrying about the market’s trajectory.
Digitalization will fail, unless...
If there is anything everyone supports, it’s digitalization of government. It’s seen as the panacea for all our ills: tax avoidance, corruption, inefficient agriculture, ...You name a problem, that is the answer, or at least part of the answer. We’ve been trying for over two decades but with meager returns.
Lessons from Bangladesh’s tussle with Adani Power
“Did you hear that Adani is refusing to supply Bangladesh with electricity?” a friend asked me recently. I knew it was a loaded question, my friend being a nationalist. “You recall wehad no power because we couldn’t pay for shiploads of fuel and coal just a few years back?” I asked back.
Low-grade service, how long do mobile operators avoid responsibility?
Complaints about substandard mobile internet service in Bangladesh are at length and this has become constant. Bangladesh has crossed the era of 4G step by step and now is on the verge of 5G technology; But the mobile telecommunication services failed to bring smiles to the faces of the customers! Call drops in voice calls and slow speed of the Internet or excessive disconnection and connection (fluctuation) are a constant fact in mobile operators' services in the country!
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