DHAKA, June 8, 2020 (BSS) – Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today urged the RMG factory owners not to terminate their workers and to become humane towards them amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
He came up with the call while speaking at a virtual press briefing from his official residence here.
Quader, also Awami League General Secretary, said the RMG workers have brought profits to their owners in good times but the workers’ termination in the country’s difficult time would be a death knell.
Calling upon the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and other concerned to show humane attitudes towards the workers, he said: “Do not consider it from the business point of view…I request you (factory owners), do not terminate the helpless RMG workers showing sympathy to them.”
About the movement of public transport amid the coronavirus pandemic, the road transport minister said although there is no allegation of charging extra fares from passengers on the long routes, but there are allegations that bus fares go up in the city areas.
“Both the transport owners-workers and passengers have be conscious to this end,” he added.
Quader asked the transport owners and workers not to charge extra fares from passengers and run their vehicles following health guidelines.
Highlighting the government’s initiatives to fight COVID-19 pandemic, he said the ‘fort of awareness’ must be built at household level to prevent coronavirus under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“…The cloud of the crisis will move away with the combined efforts of all,” he added.
The AL general secretary urged doctors and staff of the public and private hospitals to be humane and sympathetic to patients in the ongoing crisis.
There were reports that many patients died roaming from one hospital to another seeking treatment, Quader added.