Union registrations rise sharply in Bangladesh garment sector: New labour laws pave way to improve conditions, workers’ rights
The 30 labour officials examined recent changes to labour laws in Bangladesh, which will promote workers’ rights, and facilitate the registration of new trade unions.
DHAKA —“Significant progress is being made to improve workplace conditions and strengthen workers’ rights as a result of changes made to labour laws in Bangladesh bolstered by a sharp rise in the number of unions registering in 2013 within the ready-made garment (RMG) sector,” said Mr. Srinivas Reddy, Country Director, International Labour Organization (ILO) for Bangladesh at the closing session of a two-day training attended by 30 Bangladesh Department of Labour (DoL) officials.
“Working conditions and workers’ rights issues are receiving high priority in Bangladesh; The responses by the Government, the RMG industry, and workers’ organizations to recent tragedies in Bangladesh RMG sector are cause for measured optimism,” added Mr. Srinivas Reddy, ILO Country Director for Bangladesh.
Since amendments to the Bangladesh Labour Act were made in July 2013, there has been a dramatic increase in new unions registering within the ready-made garment (RMG) sector. In 2013, 96 new trade unions in the RMG sector were registered with the Bangladesh Department of Labour (DoL). In contrast, only two trade unions in the RMG sector registered with DoL during the previous two years. Presently, 222 unions in the RMG sector are registered with DoL in Bangladesh.
Since amendments to the Bangladesh Labour Act were made in July 2013, there has been a dramatic increase in new unions registering within the ready-made garment (RMG) sector. In 2013, 96 new trade unions in the RMG sector were registered with the Bangladesh Department of Labour (DoL). In contrast, only two trade unions in the RMG sector registered with DoL during the previous two years. Presently, 222 unions in the RMG sector are registered with DoL in Bangladesh.
Working conditions in the RMG sector will only improve when workers’ rights are respected. “Your actions can help create better, safer working conditions. Ultimately, this will increase investor confidence, bring more business and jobs to Bangladesh,” remarked ILO’s Country Director for Bangladesh.
The 30 officials examined recent changes to labour laws in Bangladesh, which will promote workers’ rights, and facilitate the registration of new trade unions. The opening session was attended by Honourable State Minister, Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE), Mr. Md. Mujibul Haque Chunnu, and Secretary, MoLE, Mr. Mikail Shipar. The United States Ambassador to Bangladesh, H.E. Mr. Dan W. Mozena, joined the closing session on February 20, 2014. Mr. Md. Faizur Rahman, Joint Secretary, MoLE presided in the session on the second day. The training was organized by ILO and the Bangladesh Department of Labour. Funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Labor through the “Promoting Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in Bangladesh” project.
The 30 officials examined recent changes to labour laws in Bangladesh, which will promote workers’ rights, and facilitate the registration of new trade unions. The opening session was attended by Honourable State Minister, Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE), Mr. Md. Mujibul Haque Chunnu, and Secretary, MoLE, Mr. Mikail Shipar. The United States Ambassador to Bangladesh, H.E. Mr. Dan W. Mozena, joined the closing session on February 20, 2014. Mr. Md. Faizur Rahman, Joint Secretary, MoLE presided in the session on the second day. The training was organized by ILO and the Bangladesh Department of Labour. Funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Labor through the “Promoting Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in Bangladesh” project.
For further information, contact:
Pierre Beaulne, Senior Communication Officer, ILO Dhaka, E-mail: beaulne@ilo.org Uttam Kumar Das, FPRW Project, ILO Dhaka, E-mail: das@ilo.org Tel: 01755 647607