Repeal laws curtailing workers’ democratic rights: labour leaders

Labour leaders on Saturday urged the government to repeal all the laws that curtail or limit workers’ democratic rights, including rights to form and join a trade union for the protection of their interests, occupational safety and job security.
At a discussion organised by Garment Workers’ Trade Union Centre at Mukti Bhaban in Dhaka, they demanded amending the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 to exclude any provision that goes against Constitution of Bangladesh, Universal Declaration of Human Rights and ILO conventions. 
The government has initiated a process to amend the labour law again making first amendments in 2013.
Veteran labour leader Manzurul Ahsan Khan, adviser of Communist Party of Bangladesh, said in the discussion, ‘Governments have continued to stand against workers’ interests and have been passing laws curtailing workers’ rights which were achieved through their long struggle.’
Samajtantrik Sramik Front general secretary Razekuzzaman Ratan alleged that the government had finalised the amendments to the law keeping workers and their leaders in the dark, though International Labour Organisation had advised the government to consult with them.
Razekuzzaman, who represents workers in the committee to recommend necessary amendments, said that they had discussed various issues in the committee meetings without taking any decision. ‘But the government has prepared amendments without informing us,’ he said.
He feared that the government might impose more rules curtailing workers rights and benefits as previous governments did in the past.
GWTUC general secretary Joly Talukder said that the government even set a number of rules in 2015 violating the labour law and even the constitution of the country.
GWTUC president Mantu Ghosh chaired the discussion, also addressed by the union executive president Kazi Ruhul Amin and Garment Worker’s Front president Ahsan Habib Bulbul.
The leaders said that the government must follow ILO conventions 87 and 98, guarantee rights of workers to form trade unions and give compensations according to loss of earning, in line with the ILO recommendation.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net