Former female employees of Grameenphone have staged a protest, demanding the payment of their 5 percent penalty compensation and condemning the brutal crackdown by police on their previous demonstrations.

The peaceful protest was held in front of GP House in Bashundhara Residential Area in Dhaka under the banner of “Grameenphoner Nipirito Nari Karmibrindo” (Grameenphone’s oppressed female employees), says a press release.

Speakers at the protest condemned the 25 February police attack on former employees demonstrating for their rightful demands. They particularly criticised the use of force, including baton charges, water cannons, and physical assault, against female protesters.

“Even our female colleagues were not spared in the 25 February attack,” said one of the demonstrators. “Eleven of our fellow workers were unjustly arrested, including three women. This is not just an injustice against us, but against all working women in the country.”

The demonstrators also reiterated their demand to immediately clear the 5% penalty compensation that has been withheld by the telecom operator for the past 15 years, pushing many former employees into financial hardship.

“Grameenphone has made an example of corporate brutality through attacking on the demonstrators who lost their jobs. The authorities through loyal police forces made attack with baton on demonstrators including three women employees. Among the victims, a female colleague has severe cardiac problem,” says an agitator requesting not to be named.

Protesters mentioned that they will continue their demonstrator with a single demand for 5 percent share of the company’s profits. Police have arrested 11 protesters recently. A demonstrator claimed that GP chief executive officer Yasir Azman recently addressed the employees at a town hall meeting where he denied allegation of attack on terminated workers.

“GP authorities have continued falsehood in structural manner. They sued the demonstrators for harassing the legal movement,” added a demonstrator.

Holding banners and placards, the former female employees staged their peaceful demonstrations against what they called Grameenphone’s continued injustice and exploitation. The speakers urged the government, human rights organisations, media, and citizens to stand out against this injustice and ensure Grameenphone’s accountability.