Staff Reporter:
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday said only a justice-based Islamic governance system can ensure workers’ rights and end all forms of exploitation in the country.
Addressing a workers’ rally organised by Bangladesh Workers’ Welfare Federation at Paltan intersection in Dhaka on the occasion of International Labour Day, Dr Rahman said the ongoing conflict between workers, employers and extortionists could only be resolved through Islamic governance.
“Only Islamic governance can ensure the rights of the working class. A just and non-discriminatory Islamic system is the only way to end exploitation,” he said.
Quoting a hadith, he said, “Islam says the worker’s wage should be paid before his sweat dries.”
“We want a society where everyone regains their rightful place, fair rights and full freedom. This is not a dream—Islam has shown us the way,” he added.
Shafiqur Rahman further said the working class had long been oppressed, while owners too often fall victim to extortion.
“Extortionists make various excuses to demand money from them. How long will this three-way conflict continue? Only a just social system based on Islamic principles can bring an end to this,” he said.
In response to criticism, the Jamaat Ameer dismissed allegations that women would lose workplace freedom if his party came to power.
“Some claim women will lose their right to work if Jamaat assumes office. This is absolutely false. Women will have full freedom to work according to their abilities,” he said.
Speaking at the rally, Jamaat Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar said, “The biggest right of workers is to get their wages on time. But in our country, many are not paid even after months. What greater injustice can there be?”
He stressed that workers must not be forced to work beyond their capacity and should be paid their due wages as soon as their contract ends.
He also said the Bangladesh Workers’ Welfare Federation is the largest workers’ platform in the country and is working to establish labour rights in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (S).
Earlier in the morning, the Dhaka Metropolitan North unit of the federation brought out a rally from Kakrail intersection.
Federation President and former MP Maulana Anam Shamsul Islam presided over the rally. Nayeb-e-Ameer and former MP Professor Mujibur Rahman, along with several central and metropolitan Jamaat leaders, also addressed the gathering.
The rally drew a large number of workers and supporters, who carried banners and chanted slogans demanding justice, timely wages, and dignity for labourers.
