Reforming wage structure, policy in RMG sector

Against the backdrop of spiralling workers' unrest with attendant violence in the Readymade Garment (RMG) units in Ashulia, Savar, Gazipur and elsewhere, the UN agency dealing with labour-related issues, ILO, has identified five key areas that demand urgent attention. Evidently, the international labour body has been closely monitoring the escalation of agitation among the garment workers, their grievances and the complexities involved that reflect systemic problems requiring speedy redress.  The key issues identified by the ILO and the suggested remedies include wage structure, policy and  labour law reform and strong social and legal protections and industrial relations, and occupational safety and health (OSH).The first step towards addressing the issues causing destabilisation in the garment and other industries is to acknowledge those by all the stakeholders involved. The next step would be to conduct constructive dialogues between the RMG factory owners, workers and government officials in a spirit of collaboration and good faith so that workers' rights are recognised and protected, while the sustainability of the RMG industry is also ensured.

Admittedly, workers must be motivated to develop a sense of ownership of the factories they work for a healthy industrial relations system in the RMG sector or any other industry. Continued unrest in the country's highest foreign exchange earning sector is only indicative of a trust deficit between workers and employers. The ILO's input in this case is definitely timely and welcome for riding out the crisis. Notably, the international labour body did highly commend the September 24 agreement reached between the RMG workers and employers as a 'landmark' accord. But hardly a week had passed since that agreement when violent clashes between workers and law-enforcers erupted on Monday last in the Ashulia area leading to the death of one worker and critical injuries to several others. Clearly, the situation appears to be grave since following the latest violence, owners of the Ashulia area has sought protection of their factories, their staff and workers against what they termed 'outsiders' who are out to destroy the industry.

Obviously, this latest development flies in the face of the 'worker-employer agreement' termed 'landmark' by the ILO.  Even so, the latest unrest only points to how germane the ILO inputs and suggestions are to the crisis-ridden RMG sector.  Now that the overall atmosphere in the RMG industry is getting toxic for reasons yet to be identified, the interim government needs to put its foot down to protect this vital sector of the economy. At the same time, it should see to it that the measures suggested by the ILO to restore a healthy worker-employer relationship in the entire industry are implemented duly. In this context, the suggested move to reform the wage structure and policy towards a gender-responsive national wage policy as well as reforming the minimum wage mechanism (through inclusive consultations between workers and employers) should be started without delay. Similarly, amendment to the Bangladesh Labour Act, introduction of an independent alternative dispute resolution institution and reform of the labour court system should also be initiated. Also, for social protection of workers, the ongoing pilot scale 'Employment Injury Scheme'should be institutionalised and legalised. To ensure occupational safety and health (OSH) for workers, the government would be well-advised to ratify the related conventions nos. 155 and 187 for developing a comprehensive OSH system in the sector.

Finally, the owners of the RMG factories should take the leading role to keep their workers happy in the interest of improving industrial relations and establishing peace and stability in the sector.