'No trade union to be allowed in EPZs'

Bangladesh is not going to allow workers to form trade unions in the factories in the Export Processing Zones (EPZs), state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam said on Sunday.
Talking to the reporters at the foreign ministry, he said the foreign investors in the EPZs invested here under certain terms and conditions, including the ban on trade-union activities. Now, the terms cannot be breached.
The state minister came up with the assertion when he was asked whether the government would allow trade unions in the EPZs as recommended by the European Union and the USA.
However, he said the workers can place their demands in the EPZ through the welfare association which is an alternative way to resolve their problems.
Shahriar Alam also mentioned that the special economic zones will be governed by the domestic labour law of the country.
The state minister also revealed that the government will place a bill in Parliament to amend the existing labour act to reform the labour rules.
Responding to another question from the journalists, he said that the pilot scheme for Rohingya repatriation was taken to kick-start the process and the UN agencies were informed about the development.
He stated that the government is committed to ensuring the safe and voluntary repatriation of Rohingyas. If some of them would feel that the situation is not conducive in Myanmar, they will have the opportunity to return to the camps in Cox's Bazar.
Replying to another question, he said that no foreign country or UN agency discussed anything related to holding dialogue with political parties or on election-time government with the ministry of foreign affairs.
Rather, the government urged them to send observers as per the EC guideline to observe the elections so that any confusion over free and fair polls can be removed.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com