Discriminatory provisions in the proposed labour law let garment workers down with “limited” trade union rights, labour leaders say.
Najma Akter, President of Garment-Worker Federation said: “Workers’ expectation was not fully reflected as the new law suggests a four-month maternity leave while all government and private office employees enjoy it for 6 months.”
The amended law also includes a new clause having a welfare board and welfare fund instead of the previous 5% profit share of workers, she said adding that it will contravene the interest of workers because welfare fund and profit is completely different thing.
The cabinet on Monday approved the Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Act 2013 with a provision of trade union rights or Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the readymade garment (RMG) sector.
Touhidur Rahman, president of Bangladesh Clothing Industry Federation, said: “Participatory committee was more emphasised than trade union in the labour law. That is why CBA cannot ensure workers’ interests.”
Sramik Krishak Oikkya Parishad (SKOP) Coordinator Wazedul Islam Khan said: “It has to be ensured that the workers are in no way terminated, which is absent from the law.”
He also blasts the idea of forming participatory committee until trade union right is established saying that such committee cannot raise any demand and cannot bargain for the welfare of workers.
He said there is no clear-cut statement for the compensation of the workers. The workers have to be ensured full rights to their trade union.
Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) Assistant Executive Director Syed Sultan Ahmed said the formal reaction over the amendment is to be given on Wednesday.
He said the provision of 5% profit sharing cancellation in the labour law would go against the interest of the workers. “I have not seen the proposed amendment but if it was prepared after discussion with the representatives, it would be better,” Moshrefa Mishu, president of Garments Workers Unity Forum told this correspondent.
Fajlur Rahman, Managing Director of Gemini Garments Limited said: “In our country workers’ awareness level is so low that they are not able to realise the factory situation. So this is not proper time for trade union and it would not bring good result for this sector.”
Besides, the new wage board will be very difficult for most of the industry to comply with.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers Association Vice-president Shahidullah Azim said labour law need to be discussed more before it is passed in parliament.
Some provisions in the amended law will be problematic for this sector. Trade union is acceptable but it should not be done in a way that brings doom for all factories like that of jute mills.
