Deputy Director General of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo stressed Wednesday continuation of tripartite dialogue to avoid industrial disputes and make the stakeholders understand the importance of unionism.
On the other hand, apparel makers expressed the view that they are not against allowing trade union in garment units but favoured constructive trade union with training to properly know about their rights and responsibility.
"We should not shy away of difficult issues. We need to continue dialogue to find out solution," Mr Houngbo said while addressing the employers' seminar on "Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining", organized by the BGMEA at its headquarters in the city.
Minister of Expatriates and Overseas Employment Engineer Khandker Mosharraf Hossain was the chief guest at the seminar while Foreign Affairs Secretary Shahidul Haque, Labour Secretary Mikail Shipar, President of Bangladesh Employers' Federation Tapan Chowdhury, first vice president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association Md Hatem, BGMEA President Md Atiqul Islam, ILO Country Director Srinivas Reddy, among others, were present.
The government and ILO jointly launched a project in October last that included long-term training for the stakeholders and workers on how to exercise their rights and responsibilities for the betterment of the industry, he added.
He called upon the BGMEA to make its members understand the importance of trade union.
Freedom of association and collective bargaining is the prerequisite for a sustainable growth of the industry, he said putting emphasize on continuation of tripartite dialogue.
The minister said without freedom of association and collective bargaining, the tripartite role would be meaningless.
"Unionism will help both the workers and owners reduce costly industrial disputes and build good relation," he said describing the recently amended labour law that eases the process of trade union registration.
Mr Shipar said, "the global community are watching you (manufacturers) and you don't have any choice not to allow trade union."
He warned that the government would also not allow any undue labour practice after registration of trade unions.
The BEF president protested the allegation that the entrepreneurs are not allowing trade unions or creating obstacles to this.
Terming good relation a prerequisite for sustainable industrialization, he stressed the need for creating trust among the workers and owners through social dialogue.
Aslam Sunny, a manufacturer expressed his concern over the destructive activities in the name of trade unions.
Haroon-ur-Rashid, another manufactuer, demanded training for the workers to make them aware of their rights and responsibilities.
However, manufactuers said they also want constructive and healthy trade union and training for both the owners, managements and workers.
ILO DDG for tripartite talks to avoid disputes
FE Report | Published: April 25, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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