Law Minister Anisul Huq revealed on Tuesday that the International Labour Organization (ILO) has recommended further discussions on amending the Labour Law instead of rushing the process.
The minister shared this information with reporters after a meeting with an ILO delegation at the Law Ministry.
"We discussed the matter of Labour Law amendment today. The Ministry of Labour and Employment has informed me about bringing some new amendments. Apart from these, ILO has also requested us for giving some statements," stated the minister.
He added, "Another four-member ILO team joined today's meeting virtually from Geneva. Almost all the sections of the Labour Law were discussed today. We wanted to pass the Labour Law in the ongoing parliament session. But ILO suggested not to hurry and hold more discussions in this regard."
Present at the meeting were Ministry of Labour and Employment Secretary Md Ehsan-e-Elahi, Law and Justice Division Secretary Md Golam Sarwar, and Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division Secretary Hafiz Ahmed Chowdhury, among others.
The ILO delegation, led by ILO Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen, included members such as ILO Programme Manager Neeran Ramjuthan, Technical Officer Chayanich Thamparipattra, Senior Programme Officer Md Saidul Islam, and Programme Officer Chowdhury Albab Kadir.
The Law Minister emphasised the need for discussions with stakeholders regarding certain aspects of the proposed amendments. "So, we have reached two decisions.
One is to hold further meetings. In the meantime, a stakeholder facility meeting would be held under the initiative of the ILO. The issues where we have disagreements will be discussed there."
Addressing an ongoing allegation before the ILO, the minister assured that talks over the three-year-old allegation would proceed without hindrance by next March if a Comprehensive Labour Act, incorporating ILO suggestions, is enacted.
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