Ensure rights of informal sector workers

Speakers at a rally yesterday sought recognition of the informal sector workers in the labour law.

They called upon the government to amend the Bangladesh Labour Act 2013 incorporating opinions of the workers of the informal sectors, which include auto-rickshaw drivers, hawkers and domestic workers.

Bangladesh Labour Rights Forum organised the rally in front of Jatiya Press Club in the capital.

Zakir Hossain, member secretary of the forum, said, “Definition of a labourer is not clear in the act. So an amendment is needed,”

Golam Faruk, leader of an organisation of auto-rickshaw workers, said those who are working in the transportation sector are not recognised as labourers. They are not provided with any appointment letter.

Though the informal sector workers are contributing to the country's economy, they are being deprived of their rights, he said.

Referring to the statistics of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Muni Rani Das, leader of a domestic workers' alliance, said out of the total labour force of the country, the informal sector workers are around 75 percent.

Domestic workers do not have fixed holidays or fixation of wage, she said,  adding that those are vital to ensure their rights.

The workers' leaders also demanded issuance of appointment letters and identity cards, fixed working hours and adequate salary for the workers.