DIFE makes 11-point reform proposal

The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishment (DIFE) on Tuesday put forward an 11-point reform proposal, including increasing penalty for violation of labour law and making labour license mandatory before starting any factory production.
The DIFE in a meeting with Labour Reform Commission held at Shrama Bhaban in the city also proposed measures to ensure a decent working environment for all workers -- both in the formal and informal sectors, amending labour laws and ensuring their enforcement.
Earlier on November 18, the interim government formed the Labour Reform Commission headed by Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, executive director of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), to make required recommendations aiming to reform the country's labour sector and ensure workers' rights and welfare.
The DIFE's other suggestions include establishing offices in 64 districts across the country and a large number of offices of deputy inspector general in labour-intensive areas, increasing compensation for workplace accidents, formation of a labour intelligence agency to address labour issues and avoid workers' unrest, ensuring payment of workers' wages within seven working days of the month and notifying the area inspectors, ensuring punishment for sexual harassment at workplaces, introducing a provision for imposing 'administrative fines' or 'spot fines' by labour inspectors in cases of violation of labour laws, allowing inspectors to seek assistance from law enforcement agencies if necessary, and making it mandatory for factories to set up breastfeeding corners.
Speaking in the meeting, Commission Chairman Mr Ahmed said, "The Labour Reform Commission is working to ensure safety of workers in both formal and informal sectors."
In his speech, DIFE Inspector General Omar Md Imrul Mohsin said, "A harmonious coordination between employers and workers is very important for the development of the labour sector. Necessary reforms and their enforcement are essential to ensure workers' welfare."
Labour Reform Commission members Dr Mahfuzul Haque, Dr Zakir Hossain, AKM Nasim, Chowdhury Ashiqul Alam, Shakil Akhtar Chowdhury, Taslima Akhtar and DIFE Additional Inspector General Arif Ahmed Khan, President of Bangladesh Trade Union Sangha Rashedul Alam, Secretary General of Bangladesh Employers Federation Farooq Ahmed, Executive President of BKMEA Fazle Shamim Ehsan and BGMEA member ANM Saif Uddin, among others, were also present in the meeting.

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