Workers’ union leader files petition seeking liquidation of Grameen Telecom

A petition has been filed with the company court of the High Court division of the Supreme Court seeking liquidation of Grameen Telecom, an organisation owned by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.

Mahmud Hasan Feroz, secretary of the ‘Grameen Telecom union of workers and employees’ filed the petition recently on behalf of the 99 members of the union.

Upon hearing the petition on Monday, the High Court bench of Justice Muhammad Khurshid Alam Sarkar fixed April 3 for passing over the matter.

Lawyer Yousuf Ali appeared in the court on behalf of the petitioners, while lawyer Mustafizur Rahman Khan represented Grameen Telecom.

Mr Yousuf Ali said, “The workers and the employees of the company are entitled to get 5 per cent of the net profit of the Grameen Telecom as per the rule. They will get it since 2006 and the dues are more than 2.5 billion now. But the company is not giving the dues to the employees. In this circumstance, they moved the Labour Court.”

“However, we have enough evidence that Professor Yunus is trying to influence the Labour Court ruling. In this case, we will be deprived of proper justice. In this situation, we have appealed to the High Court to appoint a liquidator for the company.”

The court heard both the parties and fixed April 3 for passing order over the issue, said Mr Yousuf Ali.

Mr Mustafizur Rahman said, “Grameen Telecom is a non-profit organisation. The law, under which the employees are demanding their dues, is not applicable in this organisation. And if they get money, then the amount of the money is not so much that is claimed by them.”

“Grameen Telecom tried to hire a consultant for out of court settlement. But finally, they didn’t do it. Now the leaders of the union are saying that Grameen Telecom tried to influence the court ruling, the law minister and the labour minister. They also stated this in the petition submitted in the High Court. This type of statement is totally baseless and worthless,” added the lawyer.

Without any discussion with the union, the Grameen Telecom authorities laid off 99 employees through a notice. Since then dissatisfaction started among the employees. Later a writ petition was filed with the High Court challenging the notification.

Upon hearing the petition the High Court also summoned Professor Yunus. Finally, the court on April 4 in 2021 directed the authorities to reinstate the employees.

Apart from this, more other cases were filed at different times against Professor Yunus and other officials of Grameen Telecom. The dismissal employees are basically filing those cases demanding their dues.

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