Council formed to resolve crisis in garment sector

The government has formed a tripartite council to resolve any crisis in the garment sector through dialogues.

In a gazette on Monday, the labour ministry published the names of the representatives of the council, which will be headed by the state minister for labour and employment.

Six government officials from different ministries, including the labour secretary, and six leaders from Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association will be in the committee, according to the gazette.

Six trade union leaders from different associations will also be present in the committee, the gazette said.

The council will mainly suggest the government how to improve the industrial relations between the factory owners and the garment workers and how to improve their productivity.

The council members will meet thrice a year to discuss the latest labour situation to update the government.

The head of the council can call more meetings if necessary, the gazette said.

The director general of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, labour director of the labour directorate and director general of industrial police will also be present at the meetings.

In consensus, the tripartite body can include any person anytime from home and aboard if they think it is necessary.

The council will be in place until the issuance of further notice in this regard.

The deputy secretary of the labour ministry will act as the member-secretary of the committee.

The council was formed, as the international community put pressure on the government after the arrest of 35 workers and unionists during the Ashulia garment unrest in December last year. However, the detainees were released later.