Former female employees, along with their family members, of Grameenphone, Bangladesh’s major mobile network operator, gathered on Saturday in front of GP House to demand the payment of long-overdue dues that have remained unpaid for over 13 years.
The demonstrators also called on Grameenphone authorities to release their former male and female colleague, senior executive Fauzia Nahar Sampa, who has been part of the ongoing protests outside GP offices in recent months.
One of the protesters, identified as Farzana, voiced her frustration, saying, “Grameenphone is mocking International Women’s Day by sponsoring events while disrespecting its former women employees.” She also called for a public apology for the disrespect shown to the women employees.
Over 4,000 former Grameenphone employees, primarily from 2010, 2011, and 2012, have yet to receive their outstanding payments. Farzana further stated that 11 former employees were arrested during the protests for demanding their overdue payments.
The employees staged the demonstration in front of Grameenphone’s headquarters in Bashundhara Residential Area, as part of an ongoing protest that has been continuing for months.
In response to the protests, Grameenphone authorities deployed police forces and water cannons, which were used against the demonstrators. Despite facing hot water from the cannons, the protesters remained vocal, chanting, “Stop this action. Grameenphone is illegally spraying hot water on us, injuring us.”
The situation remains tense as former employees continue to press for their rightful dues and a resolution to their longstanding grievances.
