Covid-19 vaccine for textile workers demanded

Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation placed a six-point demand, including the assurance of Covid-19 vaccine for readymade garment workers and transport facilities for them.

Workers now pay as much as four times the transport costs than usual to go to and from their workplaces, the trade union group said

SGSF disclosed the demand list on Monday in a letter sent to the secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, a press release said.

The other points of the demand include -- stopping worker layoffs, awarding risk allowance, ensuring six feet social distancing in a bid to maintain health guidelines and ensuring isolation for Covid-infected workers.

The letter also urged the government to introduce a social safety net for the RMG workers.

The letter, signed by SGSF’s President Nazma Akhter and General Secretary Nahidul Islam, alleged that the government declared the garments industry free from lockdown restrictions without consulting with representatives of garments workers.