Prime Minister’s Labour and Employment Adviser Mahdi Amin has said that protecting workers’ rights and creating broad employment opportunities are among the government’s top priorities.
“The government is fully committed to ensuring improved working conditions and welfare for workers,” he said.
Amin, also the spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with a high-level delegation from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) at the conference room of the Ministry of Labour and Employment at the Secretariat here today.
The spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office said the government is committed to protecting workers’ rights, ensuring better working environments and expanding quality employment opportunities.
The meeting discussed the economic role of Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and the implementation of universal laws and policies while maintaining their distinct role in sustaining economic activities and employment.
Amin said the government is working with utmost sincerity to strengthen workers’ rights and wants to move forward in cooperation with international organisations such as the ITUC and IOE, while giving due importance to their considered recommendations on protecting workers’ interests.
“The government’s main objective is to protect workers’ rights and welfare. Ensuring a fair and safe environment in every workplace, improving relations between employers and workers, and establishing effective social dialogue are the government’s priorities,” he said.
At the same time, he said, “We are working tirelessly to expand opportunities for decent employment and enhance the skills of the workforce.”
Welcoming the visiting delegation, the adviser said the visit and the tripartite discussions involving the government, workers and employers would be particularly helpful in understanding the country’s progress in implementing the ILO roadmap and identifying the way forward.
He said the government, under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is committed to ensuring workers’ welfare, decent work and productive employment.
Amin further said that soon after assuming office, the newly elected government amended the Bangladesh Labour Act to make it more up to date during the first session of the National Parliament.
At the same time, Bangladesh recently ratified ILO Conventions 155, 187 and 189 to maintain international standards in labour rights and protection.
He said visible steps have also been taken to strengthen and improve the efficiency of labour administration, ensure speedy settlement of disputes and establish effective social dialogue with all stakeholders.
Outlining the government’s plans, the adviser said, “Our main objective is to formulate the Bangladesh Labour Rules quickly and ensure effective implementation of the amended Labour Act. Through this, we will ensure that every commitment of the government is translated into tangible and visible improvements in the lives of working people.”
The adviser said the interests of workers and employers are complementary to each other. Ensuring workers’ legitimate rights and enhancing the global competitiveness of industries can move forward simultaneously, he added.
“There is no alternative to strong tripartite dialogue and effective social partnership for establishing industrial peace and ensuring sustainable economic development of the country,” he said.
During the meeting, the ITUC and IOE delegation highly praised the recent reform-oriented measures taken in Bangladesh’s labour sector.
They expressed satisfaction particularly with the government’s initiatives to amend labour laws, simplify and expedite the trade union registration process, ensure occupational health and workplace safety for workers, and implement fair wages.
Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury was also present at the meeting.
The visiting delegation included ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle, IOE Vice-Chair Kaizer Moyane, ILO Governing Body member Jeff Vogt, and ILO Country Director Max Tuñón, among other senior officials.
Secretary of the Ministry of Md. Abdur Rahman Tarafder, Additional Secretary Md Abdur Rahim Khan and Director General of the Department of Labour Md Abdus Samad Al Azad were also present.
