Ericsson staff continues hunger strike; one hospitalised

The employees of Ericsson Bangladesh Limited have begun hunger strike since Monday to fulfil their five-point demand, but the authorities have turned a deaf ear to the demand. Around 50 employees have been observing hunger strike in front its Gulshan head office, but no Ericsson high-up showed up till Tuesday. Earlier on Sunday, the Ericsson staff began abstention from work after their meeting with the management ended without any result. Sources said over 200 employees demonstrated in front its head office to protest job-cuts without any prior notice. Lutfor Rahman, general secretary, Ericsson employees Union, said on Sunday: “We had a meeting with the company management at 11am, but it ended without result. That is why we have gone on an all-out strike to realise our demand.” “We are yet to get any response from Ericsson management, but our hunger strike will continue till the authorities meet our demands.” Without offering any benefit nobody can terminate their employees, added Lutfor. Ericsson has to pay an amount equivalent to six basic salaries to those serving over 10 years, four and a half basic salaries for a five-year plus service and three basic salaries for below five years of service for the company. Besides, it has to provide provident fund and gratuity. Ericsson has a total of 240 employees while it terminated 50 employees on August 21 without prior notice. The sudden decision irritated the employees who demonstrated and besieged high officials of the organisation to re-consider their termination decision. The company served a job-cut notice to 50 employees through email without giving any previous notice. After receiving termination letter, the employees demonstrated in front of its head office in Gulshan, and at one stage they besieged top officials of the company. They urged the authorities concerned to introduce voluntary separation scheme so that they can manage another job before being terminated. In the last one year, Ericsson terminated 250 permanent and temporary staff of the company. Sources said as Ericsson's business has shrunken, it started to terminate employees. Meanwhile, one hunger striker named Zakaria, a field-level employee, has fallen ill and been admitted to the city's Shahabuddin Medical College on Tuesday.