Trade unions add voice to labour inspection strategy development

Trade union representatives came together in Dhaka, 2 June 2016 to gain better understanding of labour inspection policies and strategies in Bangladesh.

News | Dhaka, Bangladesh | 05 June 2016
Members of the Trade Unions at the workshop
©ILO
In all 28 trade union leaders and representatives of the National Coordination Centre for Workers Education (NCCWE), IndustriALL Bangladesh Council (IBC) and took part.

The one-day event was a follow up to a December 2015 workshop that sought to help the union representatives gain better understanding of national policy, planning and implementation relating to labour inspection issues. By doing so it is expected that trade unions are better able to provide input and feedback to the development of strategies and plans so that worker’s concerns can be better reflected.

The event gave participants an update on the status of labour inspection policy and strategy. Union representatives discussed the policy and how their concerns could be included. They also worked on a plan to support the labour inspection mechanism in order to ensure labour compliance and create safer workplaces.

Speaking at the event Mr Naimul Ahsan Jewel, Member Secretary of the NCCWE said, “This workshop helps trade unions get up-to-date on current labour policy developments. This will allows us to provide feedback representing workers’ concerns before the policy and strategy are finalized. It will also help unions monitor the implementation of labour inspection policy and strategy at workplace level.”

A number of the issues were raised during the workshop. These included the need for more consultation with unions on the labour inspection policy and strategy as well as additional capacity building in this area.

Participants also highlighted the difficulties faced in establishing new unions and effectively representing workers interests due to the need for 30% of a factory’s workers to agree before any union is formed as well as workers fears of losing their jobs if they join a union.