Workers, Including BADC Dhaka, October 18 : The Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation (BAFLF) has called for the regularization of irregular workers employed at agricultural farms, an increase in daily wages, and the implementation of a 13-point charter of demands.
Specifically, the organization demanded that the daily wage be fixed at Tk 1,250 for regular workers and Tk 1,200 for irregular workers. These demands were raised at a press conference held at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club in Dhaka around 11:00 AM on Sunday. Federation President Md.
Azizul Haque and General Secretary Golam Sarwar attended the event, where the General Secretary read out a written statement.
Contribution of Farm Workers and Lack of Recognition.
According to the written statement, workers employed across various agricultural production institutions under the Ministry of Agriculture—including research farms, seed production farms, seed processing centers, nurseries, and horticulture development centers—have long played a vital role in agricultural research, quality seed production, and meeting the nation’s demand for nutritious food. Workers in related farms and institutions under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and the Ministry of Textiles and Jute also contribute significantly to production activities. However, the Federation alleged that these workers are denied proper recognition and benefits for their contributions. Violations of Recruitment Policy at BADC The organization stated that although the ‘Agricultural Farm Workers Recruitment and Control Policy-2017’ provides a clear framework for regularizing irregular workers, it is not being implemented at the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC).
- Section 2(g) of the policy stipulates that workers cannot be recruited on a temporary basis against permanent posts.
- Section 3 states that irregular workers who have worked continuously in an institution for at least three years, completing at least 240 workdays per year, are eligible for regularization based on seniority.
- The Federation alleged that BADC authorities have failed to properly follow these provisions since 2002. Even though BADC farms carry out essential year-round tasks such as seed production, storage, and processing using skilled, long-serving workers, these labourers remain unregularized.
Furthermore, the organization noted that denying workers appointment letters and identity cards violates their legal rights. Working under irregular status also deprives them of various government benefits. Consequently, the Federation demanded immediate
regularization, job security, and a non-discriminatory working environment.In response to the Federation’s earlier appeals, the Ministry of Agriculture issued an office order on September 19, 2023, instructing the BADC Chairman to report on measures taken to regularize irregular workers under the 2017 policy. However, the Federation alleged that no effective steps have been taken to implement this directive.
Urgent Need for Wage Revision Highlighting the need for a pay hike, speakers at the press conference noted that the wages of agricultural farm workers were last revised in 2020. Despite a six-year gap and a sharp rise in commodity prices and living costs, wages have remained stagnant, pushing workers into severe financial distress. The Federation stressed that wages must be re-evaluated immediately to match the current cost of living.
The 13-Point Charter of Demands
1. Regularization of Workers: Promptly implement the Ministry of Agriculture’s directive of September 19, 2023, to regularize irregular workers across all research and production farms, including BADC.
2. Wage Increase: Fix the daily wage at Tk 1,250 for regular workers and Tk 1,200 for irregular workers.
3. End-of-Service Benefits: Provide gratuity/financial benefits equivalent to 60 days’ wages for every full year of service upon retirement or termination of employment.
4. Provident Fund: Introduce a provident fund facility for all agricultural farm workers.
5. Legal Enactment: Amend the ‘Agricultural Farm Workers Recruitment and Control Policy-2017’ in alignment with the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, and enact it into law.
6. Maternity Leave: Grant six months of fully paid maternity leave to female agricultural farm workers.
7. Wage Board: Establish a dedicated wage board for agricultural farm workers.
8. Workforce Allocation: Fix the mandatory staffing ratio at seven workers per hectare of farmland.
9. Festival/New Year Allowance: Provide a New Year (Baishakhi) allowance equivalent to 15 days’ wages (half of 30 days’ wages) to each worker.
10.Hill Tracts Allowance: Provide a hill allowance at 50% of the daily wage for workers employed in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region.
11. Rationing Facility: Introduce a subsidized rationing system for agricultural farm workers under the government’s social safety net program.
12. Healthcare: Introduce a medical allowance along with health insurance coverage for workers.
13. Dependent Employment Quota: Give priority in recruitment to the dependents of retired workers and those who die while in service.
