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Little knowledge is dangerous

There have been no revolts, riots, vandalising, torching, or stoppage of work by workers where there are unions. For example, in Hazaribag, Dhaka, there are unions in the tannery sector, and everyone is aware of the peaceful atmosphere prevailing there.

Md. Mojibur Rahman Bhuiyan
I have always been of the opinion that little knowledge can be dangerous. After reading the article by Advocate Omar H. Khan Joy titled "Trade Union: Cloudy past, gloomy present, shining future/' published in The Daily Star on May 1, my belief has been reaffirmed.
Ue is worried about the rioting, vandalising, torching and boycott of work by workers. Mr. Khan also alleges thai trade unions are not aware of the workers' legal rights and corresponding duties. Ue has also alleged that trade unions somehow give a license for hooliganism, and that leaders of the trade unions are corrupt. The most common problem is the lack of knowledge.
The reasons behind his allegations are unclear, bui they tarnish the image of trade unions, when the reality is another matter entirely.
There have been no revolts, riots, vandalising, torching, or stoppage of work by workers where there are unions. For example, in Hazaribag, Dhaka, there are unions in the tannery sector, and everyone is aware of the peaceful atmosphere prevailing there. I was general secretary of the Karim Jute Mills Workers Union in Demra and president of five other unions in Tarabo, Kanchpur, Siddhirganj. There was never a single demonstration or strike anywhere, which was possible due to the harmonious relationship between the employers and the trade unions.
In fact, a big reason behind demonstrations and vandalism is the absence of trade unions. There is nc communication or any form of dialogue between work ers and employers. Employers do not allow the workers to form unions and dismiss workers if they initiate plans to form a union. Mid-level management often treats garment workers as slaves. They are compelled tc work in inhuman working conditions for long hours for very low wages.
Desperate people take desperate action. Garmem workers, frustrated at being unheard for so long, finally raised their voices. Some workers were killed during movements by garment workers. After that, they were
able to get increments in their wages twice during the tenure of the Awami League government.
As Mr. Khan's article was published on May 1, which is International Workers' Day, I expected him to mention something about the Rana Plaza tragedy, the fire atTazrin Fashion and the overall existing inhuman working conditions, where female workers do not get any maternity leave (although the labour law has made provisions to give 4 months maternity leave).
He opted to write about the labour law, instead. Has he read about the reaction of the SLOP, ILO, HI IC, Human Rights Watch and many other rights organisations around the globe on the Labour Act as amended in 2013? The prime minister herself has said she will improve the labour law where there are deficits in order to help the workers to protect their rights.
Was Mr. Khan trying to imply that SKOP leaders, leaders in the Federation and trade union leaders at plant level are not aware of workers' rights?
Mr. Khan also says that trade unions have a cloudy past. I would like to remind him of the glorious trade union movement ofAdamjee Jute Mills; of the way Monu Miah, a worker of Tejgaon, sacrificed his life for the six-point movement; of the huge participation of workers in the eleven-point movement in 1969. I know that the participation of workers in the Liberation War was exceptionally high. Nobody has forgotten the SKOP movement to dethrone Ershad and the participation of workers in all movements to establish democratic rights in the country. The past is not cloudy - it is glorious.
Trade unions are fighting for protection of the rights of the workers, improvement of the labour law, and for increased wages. So, the present state of trade unions is not gloomy, either. Because of globalisation, trade unions in every country are faced with numerous new challenges. Gradually, they are becoming stronger. I invite Advocate Omar H. Khan Joy to attend some of our programmes to know more about trade unions and the challenges they face.
The writer is General Secretary, Bangladesh Mukto Sramik Federation (BMSF). E-mail: mojiburbhuiyanl950@gmail.com