Form labour courts at dists

Minister of Labour and Employment Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain speaks at a seminar at the National Press Club in the city yesterday. On his right are Rokia Afzal Rahman and Dr Wajedul Islam Khan and on his left is Khushi Kabir.Photo: STAR

Labour rights activists yesterday demanded formation of labour courts at district level to increase workers' access to justice.
At present, there are only seven labour courts in the country -- three in Dhaka, two in Chittagong and one each in Rajshahi and Khulna, they said at a seminar.
They also stressed the need to amend Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 in line with ILO conventions to ensure protection of workers from unacceptable risks of death and injuries at workplaces.
The Safety and Rights, an NGO, in collaboration with Manusher Jonno Foundation organised the seminar on 'Legal reform to prevent workplace death and injury' at the National Press Club in the city.
Sekender Ali Mina, programme director of Safety and Rights, presented a special report on workplace injury and death.
He said about 265 labourers died at workplaces in 2009. About 35 percent of them died in construction industry, 32 percent in manufacturing industry and 39 percent were electrocuted.
About 91 percent of the victims were male labourers aged between 21 and 30 and about 20 percent of deaths occurred in Dhaka district.
The speakers urged the government to include detailed health and safety obligations in The Bangladesh Labour Act (BLA) 2006 so that every worker are entitled to compensation.
The provisions should also include training and supervision, safe system of work, risk assessment, personal protective equipment, avoidance of fire and medical surveillance, they said.
The speakers recommended allowing NGOs to initiate criminal proceedings in relation to the violations of Labour Act 2006.
At present, only government inspectors, trade unions and workers can initiate such action. However, since the enactment of Labour Act 2006, very few prosecutions relating to safety and health have been taken to court, they said.
Minister of Labour and Employment Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said that amendment of Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 is on the cards and special provisions for child workers engaged in hazardous occupations and other workers in informal sectors will be included in the Act.
Labour guidelines will also be announced soon, he added.
He also said conflicts between the employers and workers are a major barrier to ensuring the rights of workers.
Rokia Afzal Rahman, president of Bangladesh Employers' Federation, Md Israfil Alam MP, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on Labour and Employment, Dr Wajedul Islam Khan, general secretary of Bangladesh Trade Union Kendra, and Khushi Kabir, chairperson of Safety and Rights, also spoke at the seminar.