Although created for the benefit of the workers, there has been a long-standing controversy over the database managed by BGMEA. The workers were complaining that many were being 'blacklisted' in the list. Due to which many workers were deprived from getting jobs in garment factories.
On August 28, popular online newsportal risingbd.com.BGMEA's 'database' is a thorn in the neck of the workersA report titled ' In view of the report, the trade unions also demanded the cancellation of this list. The demand also came up strongly in the recent garment workers' movement. Due to this, the rule of 'blacklisting' of workers in the database managed by BGMEA was canceled from the meeting of workers-owners and law enforcement forces last Monday.
RisingBD's report revealed that workers who filed claims under labor laws were essentially being 'blacklisted'. The workers were being denied employment in any BGMEA member factory. Some of them joined new factories but were dismissed from their jobs after being fingerprinted. At some point they come to know that they have been 'blacklisted'.
The report also revealed that some factories were 'blacklisting' workers out of sheer forgetfulness. Admitting their mistake, they were re-affirming.
Garment factory owners and BGMEA leaders also admitted to 'blacklisting'. Labor leaders, labor rights lawyers and related parties demanded its cancellation citing the clear violation of human rights. However, the BGMEA said, if any worker or employee is involved in criminal offenses such as oppression of women, conspiracy, theft and if it is proved legally, then his information can be provided to the regional factories. So that he does not get the opportunity to do such activities again. However, it was announced on Monday that the 'blacklisting' method was canceled due to protests.
Khairul Mamun Mintu, Legal Secretary of Bangladesh Garments and Sweaters Workers Trade Union Centre, said, 'Over 100,000 workers were laid off due to the wage movement. Most of them were male workers. The retrenched workers were not getting jobs anywhere. If you go for a job in a BGMEA member factory, you will find that there are some negative words written in the database. As a result, he would not have a job. The workers were in trouble about the matter.'
He also said, 'A few days ago, RisingBD reported the issue very seriously. Then the demand among the workers became stronger. This demand has come up strongly in the recent movement. In view of the movement, it was decided in the meeting of BGMEA on Monday that no factory will be blacklisted. RisingBD seems to have played a good role in the fact that BGMEA acknowledged and accepted the demand.
Non-governmental organization Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) senior staff lawyer Sifat-e-Noor Khanam said, “This is good news. It is good for workers. No one has ever come up with this news except RisingBD. This is very good for the workers.'
Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said, “All parties including the owners and workers of Ashulia industrial area sat down and came to a basic solution to some problems. The first was that no worker could be blacklisted. In this regard, the owner, workers all sat together and took a decision. If it is, we will decide to cancel it.'
