Trade union registration in the RMG sector has seen a sharp rise in recent years due to international pressures after the Rana Plaza collapse that shocked general consciences and strengthened a demand for workers’ rights. However, the effectiveness of the trade unions is still low due to the inefficiency of union leaders and lack of proper change in mind-set towards the unions, said union leaders and industry experts. According to Labour Ministry, a total of 326 trade unions have been registered with Directorate of Labour since 2013 after the Rana Plaza incidence. Since 2012, there were a total of 138 trade unions in the sector, which stood at 464 till August 25, this year. In 2013, a total of 83 trade unions were registered while in 2014 it was 185 and as of August, 2015 the number is 58. “The number of trade union registrations has increased due to international pressures including human rights organisations, global trade unions, consumer groups as well as retailers,” Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, assistant executive director of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), told the Dhaka Tribune. Earlier, the registration of unions was stopped through a consensus between the government and the owners, which is now open due to mindset change after the tragedy in 2013, he said. Talking on the unions figure, Sultan Uddin said “it is not a matter of satisfaction” as there are over 3,500 RMG factories, while number of trade unions is 464. The trade union leaders have to be more active and to increase communication with the workers to ensure workers’ rights, while the owners have to change mindset towards union, he said. “But it will take time to be effective in practicing collective bargaining and unionism,” he added, urging the government to ensure protection for the workers who are engaged with the trade unions. Trade unions cannot be made effective due to noncooperation from the owners as workers’ leaders have to face the music for being involved in union, Sirajul Islam Rony, president of Bangladesh Garment Workers’ Employee League, said. “Of the total trade unions, less than 50 unions are effective in the factories.” SM Ashrafuzzaman, director of Labour Directorate, said: “We are not aware of any allegations against owners brought by the labour leaders as they did not file complaint to the directorate.” He said action would be taken as per the labour law if any one lodged complaints regarding trade unions. “We provide registration based on the information provided by the workers and if there is any wrong information we reject that.” Babul Akhter, president of Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation, said in true sense, there are effective trade unions in 33 RMG factories, which can meet their demands through collective bargaining. “There was a verbal direction from the government to register trade unions after the Rana Plaza collapse and GSP suspension. Taking the opportunity, we applied.” Reaz Bin Mahmood, vice president of the BGMEA, said they wanted constructive trade unions formed by the factory workers but didn’t want to see the unions being politicised Sharp rise in trade union registration reflects the real picture of owners mindset as well as the government’s initiatives, said Reaz. “We do not want those trade unions run by the local goons and work beyond their jurisdiction.” He added that the union leaders have to teach workers about their “Dos and Don’ts” and responsibilities, while talking on workers’ rights.
