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Conference of Pahari Shramik Kalyan Forum held in Chittagong
On 23 September 2011 a conference of Pahari Shramik Kalyan Forum (PSKF) (Hill Labourers Welfare Forum) was held at Reshmi Community Centre of Barrister College Road in Chittagong with a slogan to strengthen movement for establishment of labourers’ rights for indigenous Jumma labourers. Mr. Bakul Chakma, president of PSKF, presided over the conference while Mr. Ushatan Talukdar, vice president of PCJSS was present as chief guest. Around 500 indigenous labourers working at EPZ and other private factories in Chittagong attended the conference.
The conference was addressed by, among others, divisional organising secretary of Bangladesh Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad (BHBCOP) Mr. Tapas Horh, central youth and sport affairs secretary of BHBCOP Mr. Bijoy Barua, president of Socialist Women Forum Ms. Parveen Akhter, youth and student affairs staff member of PCJSS central office Mr. Udayan Tripura, organising secretary of Hill Student Council (PCP) Mr. Abhilash Chakma and president of Chittagong city unit of PCP Mr. Zim Moon Lian Bawm et al. Mr. Sukam Dewan, out-going assistant general secretary of PSKF delivered welcome addressed while Mr. Tuhen Chakma moderated the event.
In his speech as chief guest, Mr. Ushatan Talukdar said that there is no revolutionary party as well as strong trade union for indigenous Jumma labourers in Bangladesh. That is why, indigenous Jumma labourers are suffering from labour rights, justice and decent work. He urged indigenous Jumma labourers to actively participate in the movement for Implementation of CHT Accord with an aim to establish their labour rights.
Tapas Horh said that the minorities including indigenous peoples are living in Bangladesh with oppression and suppression of ruling classes. He demanded to implement CHT Accord, to provide constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples soon and to cancel Vested Property Act and State religion from the constitution. He warned the present government saying that minorities including indigenous peoples would be used no more as vote bank. They are now united. Minorities including indigenous peoples would reject grand alliance if it would come forward to implement their demands.
In the last session, PSKF formed a new 17-member central committee where Mr. Siko Chakma, Mr. Suman Chakma and Mr. Sukam Dewan were elected as president, general secretary and organising secretary respectively. The conference was followed by a colourful cultural event.
It is mentionable that PSKF is an only organisation of indigenous Jumma labourers working in EPZ and other private factories in Chittagong dealing with rights of indigenous Jumma labourers. Around 20,000 labourers belong to indigenous Jumma community have been working in EPZ and other private factories in Chittagong. Besides, around 15,000 indigenous youths are also working in EPZ and other private factories at Savar in Dhaka and around 5,000 persons in Daudkandi area in Comilla district. One of main objectives of the PSKF is to expand its organisational strength throughout the country owing to unite indigenous Jumma labourers and to fight for their just rights as like as trade union of the labourers.
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