Workers' interests haven't been ensured

Shramik Nirapotta Forum, a platform for labourers' rights, has said the proposed amendments to the labour law -- that was approved at a cabinet meeting recently -- do not ensure workers' interests.

In a recent statement signed by its convener Hameeda Hossain, the forum said recommendations of labour organisations have not been included in it, and demanded holding discussions with representatives of all parties for further changes in the proposed amendments.

The organisation also demanded that the law be placed before the cabinet again after reconsideration, the statement said.

While reviewing the law, issues like workplace safety and increase of compensation of workers were supposed to be considered strongly, it said.

However, such matters were not reflected properly in the draft copy, it added.

On September 3, the government approved the proposed amendments to Bangladesh Labour Act to make it worker-friendly, in line with suggestions of the international community. The labour law was originally formed in 2006 to protect workers' rights and increase productivity, and was amended in 2013.

International bodies, including the International Labour Organisation, European Union and the United States, have been demanding improved labour rights in Bangladesh for the last five years.