SC paves way for continuing labour court proceedings against Dr Yunus

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday scraped a leave to appeal petition filed by Grameen Telecom Chairman and Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, challenging a High Court order that cleared way for labour court proceedings against him, reports BSS.

"Dismissed," said a three-member apex court bench headed by Justice Md Nuruzzaman.

The Appellate Division on April 3 had set today for passing order on the matter as the hearing was concluded on that day. Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun moved the plea before the court for Dr Muhammad Yunus, while senior advocate Md Khurshid Alam Khan argued for Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE).

Earlier on August 17, 2022, the High Court discharged a rule that stayed proceedings of a case against Dr Muhammad Yunus and three others for allegedly violating labour laws.

A High Court division bench comprising Justice S M Kuddus Zaman and Justice Fahmida Quader passed the order, after holding a hearing on the rule issued on December 12, 2021.

DIFE Inspector Arifuzzaman filed the case against Dr Yunus and three others on September 9, 2021, and the court had summoned the four to appear before it by October 12, 2021. The other three accused in the case are-- Grameen Telecom Managing Director Ashraful Hasan, Board Directors Nurjahan Begum and Md Shahjahan. 

According to the case documents, a team of the DIFE went on an inspection to the Grameen Telecom and found the violations of labour laws like not regularizing 101 staff, not establishing a welfare fund for the labourers, among others.