The proposed amendments to the labour law of Bangladesh, expected to be passed soon, would address most of the concerns, including ensuring labour rights, of the country's major trading partners and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The upcoming session of the parliament, scheduled to begin on May 02, is expected to pass the amendments, state minister for labour and employment Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury said on Saturday.
"We are not concerned about the US (United States) and EU (European Union) action plan as most of their demands of almost similar nature would be met once the labour law is amended," he told a press briefing at Srama Bhaban in the city.
The labour ministry organised the press event marking the 'National Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Day' to be observed today (Sunday).
The minister also announced names of 29 factories nominated for 'Green Factory Award-2023' for their workplace safety compliance and good practices.
Speaker of parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury will hand over the award to the companies nominated from 12 sectors at a programme to be held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city today (Sunday).
The ministry introduced the award in 2020 to inspire OHS as a culture in workplaces.
Speaking at the briefing, the minister said that the ministry is working to develop a database of workers and establish an employment department.
"No unskilled labour will be sent abroad, and to ensure skilled migration, efforts are underway to establish an employment department," Mr Chowdhury said.
Responding to a question, inspector general of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) Abdur Rahim Khan said there are 0.22 million unregistered factories and establishments across the country while 81,304 are registered with the DIFE.
In fiscal year 2022-23, the DIFE issued fresh licences to some 10,205 factories and establishments, and renewed the same for 31,338, he added.
It filed cases against 1,148 factories and establishments for various issues of non-compliance and settled 4,393 complaints, Mr Khan noted.
The Green Factory Award-2023 included 14 textile and readymade garment units, four tea, four leather (tannery) and leather goods, two cement, each one from plastic, food and beverage and pharmaceuticals and two from tiles and ceramic factories.
The factories are: AR Jeans Producers Ltd., Mahmuda Attires Ltd., Evitex Dress Shirt ltd., Designer Fashion Ltd., Southern Garments Ltd., Pakiza Knit Composite Ltd., Epyllion Knitwears Ltd., Laila Style Ltd., GMS Textile Ltd., Genesis Fashions Ltd., Auko Tex Ltd., Four H Dyeing and Printing Ltd., Envoy Textiles Ltd., and Pahartali Textile and Hosiery Mills.
Mirzapur Tea Garden, Chatlapur Tea Factory, Zareen Tea Garden, Gazipur Tea Garden will be awarded from the tea sector.
Bata Shoe Company (Bangladesh) Ltd, Apex Footwear Ltd, FB Footwear Limited from leather (finished goods), and SAF Industries Ltd. from leather (tannery) categories will also be awarded.
The other factories are Lafarge Holcim Bangladesh Limited, Heidelberg Cement Bangladesh Limited, Banga Building Materials Ltd, Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Shinepukur Ceramics Ltd, Walton Hi-Tech Industries, and Akij Food and Beverage Ltd.
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