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Leaders of the National Shop Employees Federation (NSEF) on Friday demanded festival allowances and overtime facilities for nearly six million workers employed in shops, retail outlets, shopping malls, and chain stores across the country.
The demand was raised by the federation's General Secretary Amirul Haque Amin at a press conference held at the National Press Club in Dhaka. He said that while workers in many sectors, including government employees, receive festival allowances twice a year, shop and retail workers are often deprived of this benefit despite their contribution to the economy.
According to the federation, around six million people are employed in the shop and retail sector nationwide. During the holy month of Ramadan, these workers serve customers for extended hours, often working 12 -16 hours a day and, in many cases, from morning until late at night.
"They sacrifice rest and family time so that businesses can meet increased consumer demand during the festive season. However, their legal rights and basic entitlements are rarely ensured," Amin said.
He urged shop owners to pay Eid bonuses this year in accordance with labour laws. He also demanded overtime payments for an additional two to ten hours of work per day during Ramadan, along with dinner arrangements for employees required to work after 10:00 pm.
Speakers at the press conference said workers in the sector still do not receive appointment letters or identity cards. Although the law provides for one and a half days of weekly leave, this provision is rarely followed. In many cases, wages and allowances are not paid within the legally stipulated seven working days.
They also pointed out that there is no separate wage board for shop and retail workers.
The federation announced plans to submit memorandums to the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association, the Director General of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments under the Ministry of Labour, and the Bangladesh Employers' Federation. It also said meetings and rallies of shop, retail, shopping mall, and chain store workers would continue across the country.
NSEF President Rafiqul Islam Babul presided over the press conference. Leaders from various labour organisations were present and expressed solidarity with the demands.
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