RMG workers to begin receiving TCB products from Wednesday

As part of fulfilling the 18-point demands of the protesting workers in September, the interim government will start distributing subsidized products through the state-owned Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) to 40 lakh workers in industrial areas from tomorrow (October 16).

TCB's Joint Director and Information Officer Md. Humayun Kabir said that Labor and Employment Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan will inaugurate the program.

He stated that the event will take place at Zaber and Zubair Fabrics in Tongi, Gazipur, with BGMEA President Khandoker Rafiqul Islam presiding. Also in attendance will be Labor and Employment Ministry Secretary A. H. M. Shafiquzzaman and Commerce Ministry Secretary Md. Selim Uddin.

Humayun Kabir said that TCB will provide oil, lentils, and 5 kg of rice through this program.

On September 29, during an event at the Secretariat for the Workers' Welfare Foundation, Labor Advisor Asif Mahmud announced the decision to start distributing TCB's subsidized products.

At the same event, Labor Secretary A. H. M. Shafiquzzaman said, "One of the 18 demands of the workers was to provide rations. According to the meeting's decision, on October 1, the distribution of TCB products to workers will be inaugurated in Ashulia. In addition to the 1 crore families already covered by TCB, the number will be increased in labor-intensive (industrial) areas."

Earlier, on September 28, a joint declaration regarding the demands of garment workers was made in the presence of BGMEA leaders and labor union representatives. The declaration stated that a meeting was held with four advisors to resolve the recent unrest in the garment industry. Several inspection teams were sent to the field, followed by multiple meetings with labor leaders and garment factory owners. As a result, a consensus was reached on the workers' demands.