Also Read- Govt to now allow trade unions in EPZ factories
The government had informed the EU and ILO on its initiative to amend the existing labour law and EPZ labour law as per their recommendations on October 30. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed confirmed to the Bangla Tribune that two EU and ILO officials in Dhaka were informed about the development at an inter-ministerial meeting.
According to sources, three out of 32 observations by the EU and ILO were important. They are –
1. Bangladesh’s existing labour law will have to meet ILO’s standards. According to ILO’s laws, if 10% of the workers of a factory file a written application, they will get permission to form a union. But to obtain permission to form a union in Bangladesh, at least 30% of workers have to apply. Although Bangladesh has agreed to amend the section, Dhaka is not ready to bring the required number to down to 10% from 30% right now. The government has decided in principle to inform the EU and ILO about its decision. 2. The organisation has also suggested formulation of the EPZ labour law to meet ILO standards. The government has taken into consideration ILO’s recommendation to remove sections in the EPZ labour law that contradict ILO law. 3. The ILO has recommended clarity and accountability in the process of registration for trade unions and ensuring that the labour organisations are not harassed during this process.
The EU created pressure on Bangladesh to amend the two laws, claiming that they did not meet international standards, at the international labour conference in June. The EU went as far as considering the use of special paragraph 4. Commerce Ministry sources said Bangladesh’s GSP facility under EVA (everything but arms) in the EU market could have been suspended if special para 4 was invoked. Commerce Minister Tofail has informed EU and ILO representatives that there is such accountability and clarity in the forming of labour unions in all Bangladeshi factories. Tofail added that nobody was harassed in this process and that there were no complexities. Labour organisations were registered online, he said, claiming that nobody had any complaints. Law Minister Anisul Huq, who led the Bangladeshi delegation, promised to amend the two laws according to EU’s recommendations and sought time. The EU was hence pacified and withdrew special para 4. Bangladesh exported goods worth around $35 billion this year – 55% of which went to EU countries. Bangladesh decided to amend the laws as the EU demanded on October 29. A day later, EU representative in Dhaka Konstantinos Vardakis, ILO Country Director Srinivas B Reddy, and ILO Programme Officer Saidul Islam were officially informed about the initiative. Sources at the meeting said State Minister Mujibul had gone to the ILO with draft amendments of the laws prepared by the Law Ministry. The government will go ahead with the amendment once the ILO approves the draft.The article was first published in Banglatribune.com