Labour Reform Commission submits report to CA

Labour Reform Commission has recommended making online submission of wage payment information mandatory by the factory owners to the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) every month.

The commission has made the recommendation in its report submitted to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

Head of the commission Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed submitted the report to the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna on Monday last, officials sources today said.

The commission recommended keeping the provisions of bank overdraft and compulsory contingency fund (equivalent to three months salary or wages) to maintain cash flow in the financial management of employing entities.

At the same time, the commission suggested amending the Bankruptcy Act to ensure payment of the workers' dues first in case of declaring an entity bankrupt.

The commission also urged the government to form an emergency fund for all export-oriented industries; where the employer will deposit an amount equivalent to two months' wages or salaries of the workers of the factory or entity.

This fund will be managed jointly by the employer of the entity, the government and the association of the owners of the industry (if any).

However, in the absence of the employer for any reason, the government can take decision on management of the fund in any emergency.

The commission also called for initiating a National Wage Guarantee Insurance Scheme, so that workers can be paid from the fund if an entity fails to pay wages, or wages of a worker is suspended or workers are re-employed at lower wage.

The interim government formed the 10-member Labour Reform Commission on November 17, 2024 with Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, executive director of the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), as its chief.

The commission has recommended for formulating a Workers' Housing Policy'to construct affordable housing in industrial and labour-intensive areas through public-private partnership.

It said necessary provisions should be incorporated in the National Housing Policy to facilitate elderly, retired and disabled workers in every district to get their homes.

In view of this the commission has suggested for a Workers' Housing Fund to ensure low-cost housing for all workers and increasing the budget allocation for low-interest home loans.

The commission recommended ensuring protection for the workers of special needs. Necessary amendments should be made in the Labour Act to ensure their rights, it said.

The commission recommended keeping special provisions under the Social Security Act for lifelong treatment facilities and rehabilitation of the workers in cases of accidental disability.

The interim government formed a 10-member labour reform commission on November 17, headed by Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, executive director of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS).
 
The commission submitted the report to the Chief Adviser after exchanging views with stakeholders and various organizations and institutions.

Other members of the commission are- Dr Mahfuzul Haque, former secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Dr Jakir Hossain, professor at the Institute of Bangladesh Studies at Rajshahi University; Tapan Dutta, president of the Chattogram divisional committee of the Bangladesh Trade Union Centre; Advocate AKM Nasim, former president of Bangladesh Labour Court Bar Association; M Kamran T Rahman, former president of Bangladesh Employer Federation; Chowdhury Ashikul Alam, president of Bangladesh Trade Union Sangha; Shakil Akhter Chowdhury, general secretary of Bangladesh Labour Federation; Taslima Akhter, a photographer and labour movement organizer, reports BSS.