Hundreds of former Grameenphone employees gathered outside GP House in Dhaka's Bashundhara on Tuesday, demanding their rightful share of company profits and penalties for delayed payments.
The protest, organized by the Laid-Off and Deprived Grameenphone Workers Unity Council, is part of an ongoing movement that began on December 2, 2024.
Over 200 ex-employees from various divisions and districts participated in the demonstration, where labour leaders accused Grameenphone of intentionally delaying payments owed to workers. They claimed that in 2010, the company defied a government directive and filed a writ petition in the High Court to obstruct the distribution of 5% of its profits to employees.
Despite a court ruling in favour of the workers in 2014, Grameenphone only released the principal amount in 2015 after sustained pressure. However, the penalties for delayed payments remain unsettled. Protesters alleged that the company used legal tactics to stall the process, depriving them of their rightful compensation. They noted that after further legal action, Grameenphone finally withdrew its pending writ petition in 2023.
Labour leaders also claimed that approximately 3,300 permanent employees have been forced out of their jobs since 2010 through unethical and inhumane practices. They accused certain company officials and union leaders of colluding with the previous Awami League government to facilitate these dismissals.
Additionally, protestors alleged that Grameenphone has been involved in large-scale corruption, worker exploitation, and tax evasion amounting to hundreds of crores of taka.
At the conclusion of the demonstration, the labour leaders urged Grameenphone to engage in discussions to resolve the matter. They warned that if their demands are not met promptly, they will intensify their movement with continuous protests and larger demonstrations.
