Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DHAKA5643
2005-11-20 08:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:  

BANGLADESH RECRIMINATIONS TOWARDS LABOR RESTART

Tags:  ELAB PHUM PREL PGOV ETRD BG 
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UNCLAS DHAKA 005643 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PHUM PREL PGOV ETRD BG
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH RECRIMINATIONS TOWARDS LABOR RESTART

REF: DHAKA 3176

UNCLAS DHAKA 005643

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PHUM PREL PGOV ETRD BG
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH RECRIMINATIONS TOWARDS LABOR RESTART

REF: DHAKA 3176


1. (SBU) BDG security elements are again pressuring a USAID
labor partner organization. In July, the National Security
Intelligence (NSI) started visiting the offices of the
Bangladesh Independent Garment Union Federation (BIGUF) on a
regular basis to ask questions about the identity of the
labor organizers, the membership, the union's activities,
their finances, and home addresses of staff. BIGUF works
closely with the USAID-funded American Center for Labor
Solidarity (ACILS),also known as Solidarity Center. Shortly
after the July visits started, post raised the issue with the
Prime Minister's office and the NSI, visits stopped.


2. (SBU) Accordingly to BIGUF staff, NSI visits restarted in
the beginning of October. In addition, members of the feared
and controversial Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) began making
visits to BIGUF offices here and in Chittagong, and in the
smaller satellite offices of Mirpur and Gazipur, located in
the outlying areas of Dhaka. RAB is infamous for having
suspects in its custody die in "crossfires."


3. (SBU) BIGUF staff told poloff that sometimes both RAB and
NSI come in large numbers, sometimes in pairs, but always in
plain clothes. They take photographs of the premises, both
outside and inside, telling the staff, "if you cooperate you
will not face problems." BIGUF says they are not permitted
to closely inspect the identification presented by either RAB
or NSI, but are given cell phone numbers and told to call
their chief to verify their credentials. The visits to the
BIGUF main office in Dhaka occur two to three times a week,
according to staff.


4. (SBU) When asked what reason could there be for the return
of police pressure, BIGUF staff say that that one NSI officer
told them that "you are not acting as a traditional union,
but are acting as an NGO," and threatened to terminate their
union registration because of these actions. BIGUF staff
added that statements from manufacturers and garment owners
have accused BIGUF of "taking money from foreign
organizations," which the factory owners say is against the
law.


5. (SBU) Comment: Post will continue to raise this issue with
the BDG to underscore our concern that BIGUF and the
Solidarity Center are neither harassed, threatened, nor
otherwise treated outside the bounds of the law.
CHAMMAS