To address the continuous labor discontent in the nation’s RMG sector, the International Labor Organization (ILO) has identified five areas, including reforming the wage structure and policies as well as amending labor laws.
On Sunday (September 29), the Dhaka office of the ILO suggested taking these steps in a statement.
It said that the ILO is closely monitoring the incidents of discontent arising from various grievances of workers in the garment and other sectors. Important systemic issues have been raised by this dissatisfaction, which need proper attention and resolution.
This requires reforming wage structures and policies, reforming labor laws and strengthening legal protections, establishing strong industrial relations, and ensuring social protection and occupational health and safety.
Advocating constructive discussions between factory owners, workers and government representatives to resolve labor grievances, the organization said, social dialogue is an important tool for good governance as it helps to resolve and resolve disputes involving various stakeholders.
Regarding wage structure and policy reforms, the ILO said there is a need to develop an evidence-based and gender-responsive national wage policy to determine fair wages.
Reforming the minimum wage system and incorporating worker and employer consultation will help resolve wage-related grievances as well as determine living wages.
In terms of strengthening of labor laws and legal protection, the labor laws of Bangladesh should be amended to make them compatible with international labor standards. Also make the Act mandatory for all workers in formal, informal and export processing zones (EPZs), said ILO.
The ILO also called on the government of Bangladesh to ratify OSH conventions No. 155 and No. 187 and to develop a comprehensive national OSH system adding will promote a culture of safety across all sectors of the economy.
Acknowledging the complexities surrounding the challenges underscores the importance of constructive dialogue among employer’s factory owners, workers, and government representatives.
All parties need to engage in good faith, working collaboratively towards fair and equitable solutions that uphold workers’ rights while ensuring the economic sustainability of the factories.
The ILO called on all stakeholders to work for the improvement of the industrial relations system through constructive social dialogue for both the stability of the RMG sector and the broader economic and social well-being of Bangladesh.
Notably, the workers in the garment sector have been protesting for almost a month with 18 demands, including wage increase and 10 percent increment at the end of the year.
Due to their movement, many garment factories have been closed for a long time. On September 24, the government and the owners decided to accept the 18-point demand of the workers. However, despite the acceptance of the demands, there is still labor unrest in many garment factories.
