ILO stresses need for Bangladesh Labour Act implementation rules to reflect international standards

A high-level delegation from ILO visited Bangladesh 19-21 May 2015 to discuss the rules with the government and other stakeholders. The rules are expected to be issued by 30 June 2015.
While emphasizing the need for the rules to be issued without further delay Karen Curtis, Chief of the Freedom of Association Branch of ILO’s International Labour Standards Department and leader of the delegation highlighted that it is critically important that they comply with international labour standards.

The speed with which the Government revised the Bangladesh Labour Act following Rana Plaza sent a strong signal about its commitment to enhance labour rights and working conditions. It is vital that the implementation rules fully reflect this and promote core labour standards. This is an ideal opportunity for Bangladesh to get the rules right and to make a statement to the world that it remains serious about improving labour rights,” she said.

In the aftermath of the Rana Plaza collapse the Bangladesh Labour Act was revised in order to create a firmer foundation upon which safety and better rights in the RMG sector could be built. However almost two years after the revised Act was adopted by parliament on 15 July 2013 its implementing rules have yet to be finalized. The rules are necessary as they set out how provisions of the Act such as elections to factory-level participation and safety committees are put into practice.

During the visit the ILO delegation met with Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare & Overseas Employment Engineer Khandker Mosharraf Hossain and State Minister for Labour and Employment Md. Mujibul Haque to explain the ILO’s concerns. Meetings also took place with representatives of employers and workers organizations as well as development partners.

Following detailed discussions the ILO delegation was encouraged by the government’s engagement and reiterated commitment to fully take into account ILO’s concerns before the issuance of the rules.

For more information, please contact:

Steve Needham, email: mob: +88 01787 680995
Abdullah Al Muyid, email: mob: +88 01713 068384