BATB field technicians, office staff demand job regularisation

Field technicians and office staff of British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) staged a human chain and rally in the capital on Sunday, demanding job regularisation and implementation of four-point demands.

More than 200 workers organised by the BATB Field Technicians and Office Staff Workers Welfare Union gathered in front of the Labour Bhaban in Bijoynagar. 

After a two-hour demonstration, they submitted a memorandum to the Labour and Employment Ministry through its secretary and to the Inspector General of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), Additional Secretary Md Farhad Siddiq.

Their demands include recognising field technician posts as permanent and core jobs of BATB, immediately regularising long-serving technicians, investigating alleged violations of labour laws and withdrawing cases filed against workers, and taking legal and administrative measures to prevent such irregularities.

Union President Ariful Islam said the workers have been performing permanent-type duties since 2010, including selecting tobacco growers, distributing seeds and inputs, supervising cultivation, collecting and grading tobacco leaves, transportation and loan recovery.

He alleged that BATB has employed them through contractor M/S M Logistics (Pvt) Ltd for around 16 years, depriving them of job security and other benefits.

General Secretary Samiul Islam said the workers had earlier been employed in permanent positions but were later brought under outsourcing arrangements. He alleged that workers facing protests and legal demands were also subjected to cases, harassment and transfers.