Emran Hossain
Achhia and Kulsum wear ankle bracelets like many other girls, but the fashion becomes a source of embarrassment at lunchbreak as they must go outside the workplace barefoot. As the bell for luncheon rang yesterday, the female garments workers of a factory on Airport Road in Chairmanbari, Banani came out barefoot.
“The authorities say many girls do not return after the break. So they allow us to go out without sandals,” Achhia said.
“It is hard to walk barefoot on the hot and rough footpath. It often hurts,” Achhia added while her cousin Kulsum was trying to hide her barefoot in vain.
The rule is not applied for men, who were seen all wearing sandals.
Though the authorities often slap a fine of Tk 50 on workers for being late or absent, female workers are not allowed to wear sandals in a strange attempt to prevent them from dodging duty.
“If the workers go out in sandals, it will bring dust which is threatening for our products,” said Abdul Mannan Bepari, security man of the factory.
Director (Production) of the industry Nurul Huda said, “We have not issued any such order. And I have found the workers are accustomed to walk barefoot.”
Courtesy: thedailystar.net
