B Mirror Desk : The day to establish workers’ rights and dignity is May 1. A wonderful day is May Day. Workers in Chicago, USA’s Hay Market gave their lives on this day in 1886 in protest of an eight-hour workweek. Following that road of self-sacrifice, workers continue to demonstrate for humane treatment, fair salaries, and safe and healthy working conditions in nations all over the world.
“One of the obligations of the state shall be to liberate the working people – farmers and laborers and the backward sections of the people – from all types of exploitation,” according to Article 14 of the Bangladeshi Constitution. The rights of workers and working people have not been established since the state has failed to fulfill that obligation even after 54 years of independence. Workers frequently struggle to make ends meet on the earnings they receive from working inhumanely day and night. Workers are denied adequate wages and facilities in spite of their exceptional contribution to the nation’s economic success.
Bangladesh has the lowest salaries in the Asia-Pacific area, according to a research by the International Labor Organization (ILO). Many industries lack a set pay, even if some, like the ready-made clothing sector, have set minimum salaries. When workers are paid little and are kept in hazardous working circumstances, it is impossible to expect them to perform acceptable job.
Bangladesh is commemorating Labor Day in a unique way this year. Workers now have more options after the autocratic regime was overthrown by the huge revolt in August of last year, but there are also more obstacles to overcome. In the 15 months between January of last year and March of this year, 113 factories that are members of the BGMEA, an association of owners in the ready-made garment business, have closed, according to sources. 96,104 people have lost their employment as a result. Even more concerning is the news about manufacturers in other industries.
In addition to taking initiatives to amend the labor law, the interim government has formed a labor reform commission. The reform commission has made many recommendations for the protection of workers, including determining wages for workers every three years, vacations, wage adjustment based on annual inflation, relaxing trade union conditions, and extending maternity leave to six months.
Political consensus is needed to implement the recommendations of commissions that are involved in elections and politics. But like many other commissions, the recommendations of the Labor Reform Commission can be implemented by the interim government.
The labor legislation will soon be changed to safeguard the interests of both employers and employees, according to Brig. Gen. (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain, Labor and Employment Advisor. The reform to the labor legislation is anticipated to have a significant impact on worker rights protection.
On May Day, several organizations, including workers’ federations, trade unions, and political parties, will have their own events. However, these programs shouldn’t be restricted to only following the rules. Bangladesh’s May Day celebration won’t have any significance till workers are not subjected to any kind of exploitation or hardship. Companies should also keep in mind that defrauding employees is not a viable way to advance industry or the intended state of the economy. Workers won’t be able to industry survive, and if industry survives, the country will survive.
