Employees at different hotels and restaurants in Pabna are forced to work 12 to 15 hours a day. And despite this long hours of work, they are poorly paid.

Those working for 12 to 15 hours daily get Tk 250 to 300 in daily wage while the women and child workers get less than half of it, Tk 120 to 130 daily, for the same working hours, reports The Daily Star’s Pabna correspondent Ahmed Humayun Kabir Topu.

The workers said they are compelled to work for at least 12 hours a day, though most of the days it’s 12 to 15 hours.

There is no extra benefit for this, they said.

“Moreover, we are always haunted by a feeling of job insecurity. The owner can sack you anytime,” said one worker.

They even do not dare to protest discrimination fearing losses of job.

Denying the allegation, hotel owners denied exploiting the workers.

“It is the nature of hotel and restaurant jobs in the district level. When the hotel owners recruit workers, they state this condition clearly that the employees have to work for 12 hours work. So, there is no question of extra payment,” said an owner.

Hotel workers cannot work only for eight hours. It is a long-run tradition, he said.

The workers are given at least two meals, which is meant for extra bonus, the owners said. 

Asked about large number of child labourers who are working at a very low wage, the owners said recruited the poor people and thus helped them by giving employment.

When the May Day comes, some people occasionally ask these workers about their living conditions. But this does not at all impact the lives of these poor people. At least hasn’t so far.