Trade unions should know their job

Trade unions play a vital role in protecting workers' rights by advocating for their needs. However, many unions often fail to focus on the most pressing issues, such as workplace safety, fair pay, and job security. Instead, these bodies are seen pursuing less significant matters such advancing their own narrow self-interest. This narrow focus on petty self-interest prevents them from addressing core workplace challenges, ultimately diminishing their effectiveness and eroding worker trust.

One major issue is the communication gap between union leaders and workers. If unions fail to clearly understand and articulate workers' genuine needs to management, they risk advocating for irrelevant or secondary issues. This disconnect not only undermines their bargaining power but also results in wasted time and resources. Additionally, some union leaders lack the skills or expertise to address complex or critical concerns, further exacerbating the problem.

Another significant challenge arises when unions focus on less impactful issues, leading to frustration among workers. This misdirection causes workers to lose faith in their unions as they fail to deliver tangible results. Workers' time and energy are valuable, and consistently seeing them squandered on trivial matters only deepens disillusionment.

To overcome these challenges, unions must identify and prioritise the core problems faced by workers. Workers from various sectors in Bangladesh face widespread discrimination and frequent violations of their fundamental rights. Among the most pressing grievances are inadequate wages that fail to meet even basic living costs, chronic delays in the payment of salaries, and exposure to unsafe and unhealthy working conditions that jeopardise their well-being. Regular communication with workers is essential to gain insights into their concerns and needs. Furthermore, union leaders should cultivate the necessary skills to address serious issues effectively and constructively. Collaboration with workers, rather than adopting an adversarial approach, can foster a stronger sense of unity and purpose.

Trade unions are indispensable in any organisation. To fulfil their role of safeguarding workers' rights and addressing their legitimate concerns, unions must focus on advocating at the right time and for the right reasons. By tackling the most pressing problems, unions can restore trust, enhance their credibility, and drive meaningful change in the workplace, ultimately benefiting both workers and the organisation.

Nishat Kabir

Student

North South University

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