Leaders of rickshaw pullers' organizations of the national trade union federation have demanded the rights of rickshaw workers be established, ensuring their human dignity and introducing separate social security programmes.
On the occasion of International Human Rights Day 2021, rickshaw workers' organizations brought out a procession in Dhaka on Friday.
Starting from in front of the Shahbagh National Museum, the procession ended at Kadam Fountain (Fuara) parading through the city streets. Leaders and workers of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) participated in the procession.
Later they held a rally. Speakers at the rally said that there is no formal recognition of rickshaw pullers. They are known as workers in the informal sector. They are constantly treated with disrespect.
The speakers said, “We call upon the government to withdraw its decision to ban the operation of battery-powered rickshaws and easy bikes, issue licence for mechanical vehicles including battery-powered vehicles by formulating modern policies.”
They further demanded licence for rickshaw pullers, inclusion of rickshaw pullers in the social security programme by making a list of injured rickshaw pullers, inclusion of rickshaw pullers in the ongoing vaccination programme on priority basis, abolition of token system and simplification of rickshaw registration process.
Naimul Ahsan Jewel, General Secretary of Jatiyo Sramik Jote Bangladesh and Mohammad Ali, General Secretary of National Rickshaw-Van Sramik League were also present at the rally presided over by president of National Workers Federation Kamrul Ahsan.
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