Interstoff Apparels, an export-oriented readymade garment factory, held the 2021-22 workers’ participation committee elections at its factory in Gazipur’s Chandra on Thursday (October 28).
A total of 46 candidates vied for 18 workers’ representative positions, and 4,600 factory workers cast their votes.
The 18 representatives then elected a vice-president as per the labour law.
Sheikh Mohd Ilias, director of Interstoff, was nominated as the committee president while Quality Inspector Robiul Hossain was elected the vice-president.
The Business Post visited the factory on the election day and found that the workers had cast their votes during work breaks.
The authorities set up a voting booth in every section of the factory and also appointed polling agents.
“We are happy that we can exercise the right to vote. We believe our elected representatives will negotiate our demands with the owner,” Abdur Rahim, a worker of the factory, told The Business Post.
The candidates' said they had made some promises to woo voters. They campaigned during work breaks and lunch breaks.
“I made some promises and will try to keep those if I am elected,” Md Shafiqul Islam, a candidate from the dyeing section, said.
The company also formed a five-member election steering committee, and three of the members were from workers' side.
“We believe if the workers’ participation committee continues, there are fewer possibilities for any unexpected event to take place. The representatives can raise workers’ demand to the authorities through the proper channel and also help halt any chaos,” Pradip Kumar Nath, assistant general manager (compliance), told The Business Post.
