Workers protest against layoffs

Nilphamari Correspondent :

On Tuesday , hundreds of workers from Sonic BD Limited at Uttara Export Processing Zone (EPZ) formed a human chain in front of the Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner’s Office, protesting employee layoffs and various forms of alleged corruption within the company.

Mahaymenul Islam Mahaymen, a dismissed worker and labor leader, alleged, “I was unjustly terminated.

I had been performing my duties following the company’s rules and regulations.

Some Bangladeshi officials behave badly with us and often lay off workers without following proper procedures.”

Speaking at the human chain, Sonic’s team leader Joydeb Roy said, “Three to four months ago, two workers died due to the use of old machines in the factory.

Additionally, two more workers sustained burn injuries in an explosion in a diagnostic machine.”

Regarding the issue, Uttara EPZ (BEPZA) Director Md. Abdul Jabbar stated that Sonic BD Limited currently employs around 4,000 workers, including 44 foreign nationals.

He said, “According to the EPZ Labor Act 2019, a company has the authority to lay off workers. However, it must pay all dues, ensure benefits, and provide retirement facilities for those who have served more than 10 years.”

Sonic BD Limited AGM Shawkat Hossain said, “We terminate workers following labor law. I have only been working at the company for 15-20 days, so I cannot speak about what happened earlier.”

During the human chain, the workers demanded reinstatement in their jobs, a safe working environment, replacement of outdated machinery, and an end to corruption in the company.