A group representing former and current workers linked to Bangladesh’s largest mobile network operator, Grameenphone, has announced the next phase of its campaign seeking payment of what it says are outstanding 5% bill arrears dating from 2010 to 2012.
The Grameenphone 5% Bill Arrears Recovery Unity Council said the move follows a press briefing on 30 June, where organisers outlined their demands, expressed concern over what they described as obstacles to their peaceful campaign and set out plans for future action.
Abu Sadat Mohammad Shoeb, convenor of the Grameenphone 5% Bill Arrears Recovery Unity Council, said the campaign would remain “peaceful and lawful” while pursuing payment of the disputed arrears.
According to the council, the next phase will include serving formal notices on Grameenphone’s management and other stakeholders, launching a nationwide public awareness campaign through the media, distributing leaflets outside customer service centres, and writing to companies associated with Grameenphone’s operations. The organisation also plans to establish a “Shadow Board”, which it says would develop policy recommendations relating to employees, customers and corporate governance.
The council said it would consider further peaceful and lawful action if no progress is made after completing its planned legal and organisational initiatives. It added that it believes the dispute can be resolved through dialogue and called on the media, civil society organisations and labour groups to support workers’ rights, accountability and good governance in Bangladesh’s telecommunications sector.
Grameenphone has rejected the group’s characterisation of the dispute.
In a statement issued on 30 June, the company said that some former employees had gathered outside its headquarters and other locations in recent months to raise employment-related demands. Grameenphone said that, to its knowledge, “most of them separated from Grameenphone a long time ago and have received their lawful entitlements.”
The company added that the issues being raised are currently the subject of ongoing court proceedings and said it has confidence that the judicial process will resolve the dispute.
Grameenphone also accused some campaign participants of spreading “misleading and defamatory information” about the company, its senior management and employees through traditional and social media. It further alleged that there had been instances of threats and intimidation directed at the company and its staff, prompting it to seek legal measures to protect its employees and assets.
The operator said it remains committed to providing uninterrupted telecommunications services across Bangladesh and respects the right to peaceful assembly while prioritising the safety and security of its employees and customers. It added that law enforcement officers had been deployed around its premises for security purposes.
The competing claims made by the workers’ organisation and Grameenphone have not been independently verified. The dispute remains before the Bangladeshi courts.