US Congressmen\\\'s call to improve labour conditions

US Congressmen Sander M Levin and George Miller have urged the government of Bangladesh to improve conditions for the country's workers saying there has been 'insufficient' progress in many areas, especially in connection with freedom of association, reports UNB.
Levin, ranking member, committee on Ways and Means Workforce, and Miller, senior Democratic member, Committee on Education and the Workforce, sent a letter to Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina on April 23 outlining specific labour issues that are yet to be addressed by the Bangladesh government.
They also brought Dhaka's attention to numerous labour issues that still require action.
"We believe it's critical for the government of Bangladesh to take stronger steps to fully implement the Bangladesh Action Plan that was issued as a roadmap for reinstating trade benefits," the letter reads.
They said the government of Bangladesh had taken some steps, but there had been insufficient progress in many areas. Issues related to union registration and protection, labour law reform, export processing zones (EPZs) and the labour leader Aminul Islam case were highlighted in the lengthy letter.
They urged the government to reopen the investigation in the Aminul Islam murder case and ensure that a transparent and independent investigator was appointed and mentioned that the in-absentia trial of Mustafizur Rahman was 'not satisfactory'.