'Govt files no false case against Khaleda'

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the government filed no false lawsuit against BNP chairperson; rather all cases against her were linked to her corruption and instigation for burning people alive and carrying out destruction in the name of movement.

Instead of giving the issue a political colour to the foreigners, the Prime Minister urged Khaleda Zia to face the cases in the court of law to prove that she is not guilty of misappropriating money of orphans and arson attacks.

The Prime Minister said this as central leaders of Bangladesh Jatiya Shramik League (BJSL) arrived at Gonobhaban to greet her marking the 47th founding anniversary of the organization. 

"Which case filed against her was false? Didn't they burn people alive and set fire to hundreds of transports? People were killed at their instruction and many people are still suffering from their assault. So, how she will ignore it," the Prime minister asked.

"They will embezzle orphans' money and kill innocent people and then they will expect that no case will be filed against them. How it's possible as it's not a matter of delight," she said. 

Shipping Minister and vice president of the organization Shajahan Khan, Labour Affairs Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League Habibur Rahman Suraj, President of Shramik League Shukkur Mahmud, Executive President of the Shramik League Fazlul Haque Montu and general secretary of the organization Sirajul Islam also spoke on the occasion. 

Bangladesh Jatiya Shramik League, workers front of Bangladesh Awami League, was founded in 1969 at the instruction of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to mobilize the people of working class for liberation and establishing their rights. Over the years JSL has turned into a national trade union federation affiliated with the International Trade Union Confederation.

Shramik League leaders greeted the Prime Minister by presenting a bouquet of flowers on the occasion.

Pointing out the false cases filed against her during last caretaker government, the Prime Minister said the caretaker government itself became frightened when she decided to appear in the court against the fake cases. Whereas now BNP chairperson is afraid of appearing in the court as she embezzled the orphans' money and was involved in the killings, Sheikh Hasina said.

Reiterating her government's firm stand for bringing the allies of war criminals to book, the Prime Minister said they unleashed the terrorist activities in 2013 and 2015 aimed at foiling the trial of the war criminals. Those people, who allowed the war criminals to take oath as ministers, should also be tried, she said. 

BNP's giving indulgence to war criminals was the root cause of emergence of terrorists and militants in the country, she said, adding that the persons who gave upper hand to terrorists and militants should also be brought to book. Sheikh Hasina urged the Shramik League leaders to strengthen the organization in different sectors so that the government can implement its development activities in every sector smoothly. 

"We know it very well what policies would be beneficial for the country, and the government has undertaken various short, mid and long- term plans to take forward the country, which helped to achieve over 7 percent economic growth," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said all activities of her government are centered on the welfare of the working people and their economic prosperity as people of the country would get a decent life as much the country's economy would be stronger. 

Recalling the role of Shramik League in all movements, the Prime Minister said sacrifice of 11 workers including Monu Mia on June 7, 1966 was the turning point of the flaring up of the movement against the subjugation. Working class people had also a great role in the mass-upsurge in 1969, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has raised the wages of the labourers and wage commission has been declared for workers of 45 sectors. She said private sector is expanding fast and informal sectors are growing where rights of labourers are still being ignored. 

So, it's necessary to take forward the trade union activities in those organizations, she said, adding Shramik League should have more role in those sectors where the government has formed federation to look into the welfare of the workers. 

Pointing out the raising of wages of the garment workers, the Prime Minister said she had to play the role of a bargaining agent in the negotiation with the owners to raise their minimum wages to Taka 5,300.

Sheikh Hasina said the country's economy now stands on a firm footing where per capita income of the people and purchasing capacity of a labourer have been increased manifold. The government has adopted a policy for development of private sector to create job opportunities, she said.

The Prime Minister urged the Shramik league leaders to take an initiative for training of the workers to supplement the government efforts to send skilled workers abroad.

She also urged them to work sincerely for successful implementation of her government's development activities taken for changing the lot of the common people.

Source: BSS