The European Union has renewed its call for further amendment to Bangladesh's labour law, especially in the provision regarding requirement of minimum 30 per cent workers' representation for forming union, to make it fully compliant with core labour standards.
The EU made the call in a progress report posted Tuesday on its official website on the first anniversary of Sustainability Compact -- a comprehensive accord meant for upgrading Bangladesh's export-oriented garment industry in which they are a major stakeholder as consumer of the apparels.
In the report, the European Union, however, reaffirmed the commitments laid down in the Compact.
In doing so, the EU stressed swift adoption of rules and regulations to implement the labour law, bringing changes to existing industrial relations regulations that allow employers to conduct elections for Worker Participation Committees, advance recruitment of inspectors and their training, and application of the labour law to the EPZs (export-processing zones).
"Major areas that remain to be addressed include the reduction of the 30 minimum membership requirement to form a union and restrictions on the right to strike," the report says.
The report will be used as a basis for discussions in a follow-up stocktaking exercise in Brussels over the coming weeks, a statement issued by the EU said.
Lauding the achievements so far made, the statement said: "Further work is urgently required in line with Compact commitments. Additional inspectors need to be trained, recruited and be able to work. Bangladesh's ability to ensure safety and health at work as well as freedom of association and collective bargaining must continue to improve."
It further states: "Implementing regulations need to be adopted swiftly and further amendments to the legislation are necessary in line with ILO recommendations. New legislation must be implemented effectively."
The EU reminds that Bangladeshi industry should also keep to its commitments. Working conditions must improve in practice and workers must be free to organise and exercise their right to collective bargaining without fear of "anti-union discrimination, harassment, intimidation or harm".
An additional cause for concern is recent refusal to register trade unions, attempts to limit their freedom of expression and the lack of measures taken to address intimidation and violence against workers, it was pointed out.
"The situation needs to be redressed so as to ensure sustainable improvements in labour conditions in Bangladesh."
In the joint statement, European Commissioner for Trade Karel De Gucht and Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion László Andor said, "As a matter of priority, we also urge the government of Bangladesh to complete the labour law reform, training and recruitment of inspectors and to create the conditions for meaningful freedom of association.
"Better labour conditions will support sustainable trade links with many markets, especially the European Union," the joint statement said about the virtues of their contentions.
In response to the tragic loss of life when the Rana Plaza complex collapsed, the EU took action through a Sustainability Compact to promote better labour rights and more responsible supply-chain management in garment manufacturing in Bangladesh.
On July 08, 2013, Bangladesh, the EU in association with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) launched the Sustainability Compact to improve labour, health and safety conditions for workers. It also seeks to encourage responsible behaviour by businesses in the readymade garment industry. The United States later joined in the coalition.
The key components of the Compact are: respect for labour rights, structural integrity of building and occupational safety and health and responsible business conduct.
Regarding labour rights, the report also recommended extension of the labour law to the export-processing zones (EPZs). Or else, the draft Bangladesh EPZ Labour Act needs to be finalised by the Government and placed before Parliament for its consideration, together with relevant implementing regulations.
The EU shows how to go along straightening the law and provisions governing industrial relations. Stakeholders must be consulted in the drafting process before the draft progresses further. The responsibility for inspections and enforcement of labour laws in the EPZs must be reviewed to ensure rights are also respected in practice.
It suggested development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in consultation with the ILO so that labour inspectors and their supervisors will know which steps to follow - and who is responsible - in undertaking the different activities.
Regarding structural integrity, the report noted that the government should continue inspection and needs to increase its capacity to progressively reduce its dependence on privately run CSR initiatives.
There are needs for an agreement on harmonised reporting and format for public reporting on labour, fire, and building safety inspections, including availability of information on training activities and upgradation and expansion of the publicly accessible database to include the detailed information on all factories in the sector, inspection results and remedial actions, if any.
Lauding the developments regarding the third parts, the report said the Accord and the Alliance are now fully operational and many new companies have joined the outfits and have agreed with national authorities on a common approach for inspections. And inspections are underway.
"Continue encouraging these initiatives, including with respect to work on the follow-up on results of inspections, and for further companies to join them," it recommended about the dos in the next course of action aimed at streamlining the industry that employs millions of workers and fetches billions of dollars in export income.
Amend labour law as per ILO rules, says EU
Monira Munni | Published: July 10, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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