Necessity is the mother of invention

If picture speaks a thousand words then the one carried in the back page of this paper on Sunday speaks more than that. It shows several women garment workers walking on a footpath unshod, to grab a quick lunch since they don't carry lunch to work. They had come out without footgear to give a slip to their work supervisors because if they were detected leaving the factory premises during lunch break, they would have to pay for their absence from their wages.

We do not know if that is the order of things in all other RMG factories. Such a draconian rule, applied particularly in the case of women workers, is utterly irrational. Why on earth should workers be restricted to their workplace during meal breaks? It may not be possible for every woman worker, working morning shifts particularly, to prepare lunch for herself since she has to complete many chores before leaving for work. And the meals offered in the factory cafés, where that is done, may not be economical for them. And in any case, a break is a worker's right, and she or he must be free to spend it the way he or she pleases to.

It is a good idea to take a break outside the factory premises since shop floors can indeed be stifling, and a breather in more open space is good for health. It is for that reason alone that factory workers should be allowed out during breaks. We would urge the factory owners not to be so restrictive.