Construction workers demand pension scheme, rationing

The Bangladesh Building Construction Workers' Union has demanded a pension scheme and rationing system for the country's construction workers.

They raised the demands during a human chain event in front of the National Press Club on the morning of 31 October.

Abdur Razzak, general secretary of Bangladesh Building Construction Workers' Union, said, "All kinds of development programmes have been halted in the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, having lost their employment, the construction workers of the country are leading inhuman lives with their family members."

The organisation said the Labour Welfare Foundation under the Ministry of Law and Employment has been working on the welfare of workers. However, the foundation has not implemented the issue of subsidies for poor workers which has been pending for the last one-and-a-half years.

At the human chain, the construction workers also raised demands including that monthly meetings of the Labour Welfare Foundation be arranged, health safety measures be ensured amid the Covid-19 pandemic, etc.