ILO defers action about Bangladesh amid political transition

Bangladesh gets a breathing space as the International Labour Organization (ILO) defers until March its decision about further action for nonobservance of three labour rights-related core conventions, sources say.

However, the UN labour agency presses for timely implementation in all priority areas of the national action plan on labour sector.

Taking note of the political changes which led to an interim government in Bangladesh and the report on progress made with the implementation of the roadmap of actions to address all outstanding issues mentioned in the article 26 complaint concerning the alleged non-observance of Conventions Nos 81, 87 and 98, the ILO's governing body has requested taking all necessary action to that end, according to its draft decision.

Bangladesh has also been requested to report further progress made in the implementation of the roadmap on actions in that regard to the GB at its 356th Session scheduled to take place in March next year in Geneva.

"... deferred the decision on further action in respect of the complaint to that session," reads the draft decision.

The draft decisions come after the ILO GB's 355th session held on November 17-27 in Geneva, sources say.

Bangladesh provided progress report on the implementation of the national action plan (2021-2026) with key priorities, including labour- law reform, trade-union registration, labour inspection and enforcement, child-labour elimination and combating violence and discrimination, on October 17 this year.

In a recent development, Bangladesh has ratified all 10 fundamental conventions by ratifying two core ones recently.

Several workers' organisations from Italy, Japan, South Africa, Pakistan and Brazil filed the complaint under Article 26 with the ILO in 2019 regarding Bangladesh's noncompliance with three core conventions: Convention 81 on labour inspection, Convention 87 on freedom of association and the right to organise, and Convention 98 on the right to organise and collective bargaining.

The complainants also proposed forming a commission of enquiry to investigate Bangladesh's nonobservance of these fundamental conventions. Meantime, ambassador and head of the EU delegation to Bangladesh Michael Miller at a recent programme said as Bangladesh prepares to graduate from least-developed country (LDC) status, it can benefit from GSP-plus scheme which provides preferential market access but links trade benefits to the implementation of international standards on labour rights, environment protection, human rights and good governance.

Talking on the national action plan on labour sector, he stressed further implementation of the NAP, noting that some areas have yet to progress, including amendments to the EPZ labour act, the elimination of child labour, and strengthening social dialogue.

Talking to the FE, ministry sources say the government issued ordinance of the amended labour act on November 17 with a number of reforms, including easing trade-union registration allowing 20 workers to register for trade union while also permitting five unions in a factory.

Significant changes also apply to maternity protection, workplace health, hygiene and occupational safety.

Through core entitlements such as 120 days of maternity leave, the ordinance prohibits assigning pregnant or lactating workers to hazardous tasks involving toxic chemicals, radiation, extreme heat, whole-body vibration, heavy manual work and certain infectious risks, they add.

Munni_fe@yahoo.com