Min 20 workers of a factory can form TU

At least 20 workers can form a trade union (TU) while as many as five such unions would be allowed in a factory in order to make formation of TUs easier for workers.

However, representation from the majority of workers in a factory will be required for collective bargaining for the labour rights issues.

The decisions were taken at the Tripartite Consultative Committee (TCC) meeting, headed by labour and employment adviser M Sakhawat Hussain in a city hotel Tuesday.

Each of 20 representatives from government, owners and workers sat to fine-tuning the proposals for amending the labour law in line with international standards.

The decisions came amid growing calls for making required amendments to the labour law, including making the TU formation easier and time-befitting.

Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser Lutfey Siddiqi, Bangladesh Employers' Federation (BEF) President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Kamran T Rahman, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) President Mohammad Hatem, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal President Anwar Hossain, Bangladesh Trade Unin Kendro Joint Secretary Abul Kalam Azad and labour leaders Razekuzzaman Ratan, Nazma Akter and Babul Akhter, among other, attended the meeting.

When asked, Labour Secretary A H M Shafiquzzaman told the FE that "20 workers of a factory can form a trade union, for which at least 20 per cent of a factory's total workforce are now required."

Five unions instead of the present provision of three would be allowed in a factory, he said, adding that required amendments to this effect would be incorporated in the labour law.

Talking to the FE, Mr Ehsan said they have raised their concerns over the TU formation process as the decision to form TU has been taken on the basis of the number of workers instead of the previous provision of their percentage of total workforce.

The proposed number is very low, taking the overall labour situation of Bangladesh into consideration, he said, adding that they were 'forced' to accept the decision.

An owner representative alleged that the government failed to bring required reforms in curbing corruption, ease of doing business and reducing operations costs in the labour sector.

Welcoming the decision, Nazma Akter, President of Sammility Garment Sramik Federation, said although such a decision would ease the formation process of TUs, the proposed requirement of majority workforce's representation in respect of collective bargaining would be 'difficul' for workers.

According to the meeting sources, the TCC meeting also agreed to increase the maternity leave to 120 days from existing 112 days while it was decided to impose Tk 50,000 as penalty in case of violations of the provisions related to maternity leave and other related benefits.

The meeting also discussed some other issues including the definition of workers, allowing association for mid-level management staff, sexual harassment, violence against the workers, they added.

Earlier, on August 24, Michael Miller, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, in a meeting with the labour secretary called for bringing required amendments to the labour law to sustain existing duty free benefits to the EU market.

"The required amendments are very important for the EU to consider safeguard clauses of the GSP plus scheme," he said.

After LDC graduation, Bangladesh can apply for GSP-plus benefits but ready-made garments will not get the duty-free market access due to the safeguard clauses, industry people said.

Munni_fe@yahoo.com