Fired because pregnant: Bangladeshi garment worker gets maternity benefits

My name is Sharmin Akter, and I joined Tex Tech Company Ltd. in December 2020, with a basic salary of 6,700 BDT. When I became pregnant, in September 2022, I informed the factory authorities of my situation. According to my doctor, my expected delivery date was March 3, 2023. However, instead of supporting me, they asked me to resign. 

I refused to resign, and on September 12, 2022, the factory authorities stopped me from returning to work. This was both illegal and deliberate. In response, I filed a case with the Labor Court in Dhaka, requesting maternity benefits and wages for 112 days. The court reviewed my case on March 3, 2023, and issued a notice to the factory, ordering them to pay my maternity benefits and wages within seven days. Unfortunately, the factory management ignored the court's notice. 

I then turned to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) for help and filed a formal complaint. The BGMEA sent a notice to the factory management, requesting a meeting to resolve the issue. However, the factory management disregarded the BGMEA’s efforts and refused to cooperate. 

Finally, I reached out to the buyer through the National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF). The buyer sent a notice to the factory management, and it was only after this that the factory took action. They eventually paid me all my maternity benefits. 

In total, I received 114,705 BDT (€ 832). While I am relieved to have received my rightful benefits, the entire process was unnecessarily stressful and could have been avoided if the factory had acted responsibly from the beginning.