A group of workers from mobile network operator Grameenphone (GP), a unit of Telenor in Bangladesh, has continued demonstration in the second phase demanding the reinstatement of employees allegedly terminated under the guise of the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS).

“The company has dismissed over 3,360 workers under the pretext of ‘voluntary retirement’ while ignoring rightful claims for workers’ benefits,” as stated in a press release signed by Abu Sadat Mohammad Shoeb, convenor of the platform, on Sunday.

The platform titled “Dismissed and Rights-Deprived Grameenphone Workers Unity Council” began a second phase demonstration in front of GP House in Bashundhara residential area in Dhaka on Sunday.

The protestors also demanded independent investigations and punitive actions against GP officials including the Chief Executive Officer Yasir Azman, Chief Marketing Officer Sajjad Hasib and their collaborators, who are responsible for worker oppression and misconduct.

Protesters claimed that GP CEO Yasir Azman sought nomination from Awami League in the last general election leveraging his close ties with former telecom minister Mustafa Jabbar and state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak and mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.

The platform of demonstrators has demanded immediate reinstatement of illegally dismissed employees with full financial and social compensation. They also sought settlement of all outstanding dues, including penalties for delayed dividend payments and accountability and investigation into abuses of power by GP top brasses and their collaborators.

 “A small group of individuals has been gathering in front of GP House over the last few days, raising various demands. They are former employees of Grameenphone, many of whom voluntarily separated from the company a long time ago, receiving financial packages well above their lawful entitlements. Additionally, the demands raised by them are subjects of ongoing court cases,” a GP official said requesting not to be named.

The official emphasised that Grameenphone respects the judicial process and that any legal disputes will be resolved through the court system.

The Unity Council has accused Grameenphone of using its influence to suppress workers’ protests, allegedly leveraging political connections of the ousted Awami regime and its associated corrupt actors to delay or manipulate judicial proceedings.