A COMPLAINT has been filed with labour officials as around 130 workers claim they fear for their lives with three of their colleagues infected with Covid-19.
The expat workers who live in a labour camp in Tubli and work for a construction company told the GDN that three of them tested positive for the coronavirus over the weekend, of which two have been taken to quarantine facilities while one is still awaiting transportation.
A senior official from the Labour and Social Development Ministry confirmed to the GDN yesterday that a team was “looking into the case”.
“We have received the complaint and we are liaising with the Health Ministry to ensure that all procedures are followed related to Covid-19 at the camp immediately,” said the official.
Some of the concerns raised by the labourers include a potential spread of the virus within the camp along with unhygienic conditions.
“We are scared as many of us have symptoms and all the three men who were tested positive developed symptoms,” said one of the workers, an Indian man, on the condition of anonymity.
“We were eating in the same dining hall and live in the same rooms.
“Also, cleaners have stopped coming since Sunday and the condition of the camp is terrible, despite trying our best to keep it clean.
“The manager has ignored our pleas and hence we went to the ministry and filed the complaint.”
The men, who work in the construction industry, also claimed they have not been paid since January.
They earn between BD90 and BD230 a month – adding that they have been unable to send money to their families back home.
“Thirty of us have resigned and are without work and are waiting for our settlements to go home, which is also uncertain now,” said another worker.
“Some others go to work sites, while some refuse, but nobody is paid.”
The labour official added to the GDN that the ministry was also looking into the unpaid wages complaint lodged by the workers.
He said the complaint stated that the pending wages ranged between three to six months.
Officials from the company could not be reached for comment yesterday.
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