Labour law to be updated soon, says Mosharraf
Sunday, 8 May 2011
FE Report
Labour and Employment Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Saturday the Labour Law 2006 will be updated after consultations with all relevant actors, which can improve relations between owners and workers. "The law will be free from political influences that will guarantee the interests of owners and labourers," he told a seminar. "We will update the law in view of our own social and economic contexts so that it can protect the interests of owners and workers," he said. Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) organised the seminar on 'Pre-condition to Industrialisation: Labour-Owner Good Relation' in the city. DCCI president Asif Ibrahim delivered speech of welcome while former president of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Anwar Ul Alam Chowhury presented the keynote paper on the topic at the seminar. With regard to industrial productivity, Mr. Mosharraf, who is also in charge of the Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry, said, "The labourers alone are not responsible for industrial productivity. The amicable relations between the owners and the mid- level executives with the workers are important for productivity. The first generation entrepreneurs should also have training to gear the productivity in the sector". "If you give them (labourers) more incentives then it will help increase productivity that will ultimately benefits both the owners and the labourers," the minister said. On the issue of trade unionism in the garment sector, the minister said, "Almost all the countries have trade unions. So, we should have a good understating over trade unionism in the industrial sector that will protect the interests of owners and labourers". "We will set our own code of conduct that will not be influenced by the formula of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). We should create a congenial atmosphere, which will help bring a conducive environment," he added. He said during 2001-06 about 0.96 million people went abroad with jobs. But for the last two years 0.9 million people have secured employment in different countries around the world even as global recession crimped demand for labour. DCCI president said the labour productivity in Bangladesh still lags behind China, India, Vietnam and Myanmar. He suggested sectoral industrial owners and the government should arrange training for the labourers and look after their welfare. He noted that the guidelines of National Board of Revenue (NBR) should be simplified to facilitate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that will ensure welfare of the workers. Anwar Ul Alam Chowhury said, "The garment sector is expected to earn US$ 17 billion this year. This figure will increase about $30 billion in the next three years. To retain this opportunity, we should form welfare committee that will not allow trade unionism right now for the benefits and increased productivity of the sector". Labour leader Nazma Akhter said stability is a prerequisite to fostering growth in the garment sector. She added the owners should care about the nutrition and other facilities of the garment workers. DCCI Vice- President Nasir Hossian and former senior vice-president Abdus Salam and former president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) MA Baset also present at the seminar.
Labour and Employment Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Saturday the Labour Law 2006 will be updated after consultations with all relevant actors, which can improve relations between owners and workers. "The law will be free from political influences that will guarantee the interests of owners and labourers," he told a seminar. "We will update the law in view of our own social and economic contexts so that it can protect the interests of owners and workers," he said. Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) organised the seminar on 'Pre-condition to Industrialisation: Labour-Owner Good Relation' in the city. DCCI president Asif Ibrahim delivered speech of welcome while former president of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Anwar Ul Alam Chowhury presented the keynote paper on the topic at the seminar. With regard to industrial productivity, Mr. Mosharraf, who is also in charge of the Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry, said, "The labourers alone are not responsible for industrial productivity. The amicable relations between the owners and the mid- level executives with the workers are important for productivity. The first generation entrepreneurs should also have training to gear the productivity in the sector". "If you give them (labourers) more incentives then it will help increase productivity that will ultimately benefits both the owners and the labourers," the minister said. On the issue of trade unionism in the garment sector, the minister said, "Almost all the countries have trade unions. So, we should have a good understating over trade unionism in the industrial sector that will protect the interests of owners and labourers". "We will set our own code of conduct that will not be influenced by the formula of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). We should create a congenial atmosphere, which will help bring a conducive environment," he added. He said during 2001-06 about 0.96 million people went abroad with jobs. But for the last two years 0.9 million people have secured employment in different countries around the world even as global recession crimped demand for labour. DCCI president said the labour productivity in Bangladesh still lags behind China, India, Vietnam and Myanmar. He suggested sectoral industrial owners and the government should arrange training for the labourers and look after their welfare. He noted that the guidelines of National Board of Revenue (NBR) should be simplified to facilitate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that will ensure welfare of the workers. Anwar Ul Alam Chowhury said, "The garment sector is expected to earn US$ 17 billion this year. This figure will increase about $30 billion in the next three years. To retain this opportunity, we should form welfare committee that will not allow trade unionism right now for the benefits and increased productivity of the sector". Labour leader Nazma Akhter said stability is a prerequisite to fostering growth in the garment sector. She added the owners should care about the nutrition and other facilities of the garment workers. DCCI Vice- President Nasir Hossian and former senior vice-president Abdus Salam and former president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) MA Baset also present at the seminar.