Killing of Workers in Bangladesh

13 November 2009

HE Dr M Sayeedur Rahman Khan

High Commissioner for Bangladesh

High Commission for the People's Republic of Bangladesh
28 Queen's Gate
London SW7 5JA

Dear High Commissioner

Killing of Workers

On behalf of the TUC General Council, I write to strongly condemn the killing of three workers by the Bangladeshi Police on 31 October 2009 near Dacca Airport.

We have been informed that the workers at the Nippon Garments Factory in Ershad Nagar in the Tongi Indusrial Belt were laid off, that they had not received their salaries and other benefits for the last month of their service and that the police opened fire when they started a protest at the gates of the factory.

The killing of workers protesting over their legitimate demands is a criminal act which reflects a flagrant disregard for the rule of law and constitutes a gross violation of the ILO Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Moreover, your country, which ratified Convention 98(1972) and Convention 87 (1972), is obliged to observe the workers' rights enshrined in them. This incident will, no doubt, tarnish the image of your country, add to the growing tension in industrial relations and further aggravate the difficulties that the garments industry in Bangladesh is confronted with.

We urge you to use your influence with the authorities to ensure that an impartial inquiry is held into the death of the workers concerned, that those responsible for the killings are brought to justice without delay and that all Bangladeshi workers are allowed to exercise their legitimate right to protest.

Yours sincerely

BRENDAN BARBER

General Secretary