Among the discussions, speakers called for the government to fully implement the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 into the leather industry, as well as all of the Bangladesh Labour Rules from 2015.
Demands included strengthening regular inspection and supervision by the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, implementation of a minimum wage structure, halting the dismissal of skilled and experienced workers, stopping illegal contractors from working without registration and licenses, bringing the tannery industry back into the continuity of the formal sector as per ILO Conventions No. 87 and 98, and halting the interference in the freedom of workers to become members of trade unions.
Chaired by TWU President Abul Kalam Azad, the discussion was attended by Bangladesh Trade Union General Secretary Dr Wajedul Islam Khan as the chief guest.
Mohiuddin Ahmed Mahin, Chairman of the Bangladesh Finished Leather and Leather Goods and Footwear Exporters Association, Md Mizabur Rahman, Vice-Chairman of Bangladesh Tanners Association, Advocate Salim Ahsan Khan, Legal Counsellor for the Bangladesh office of Solidarity Centre, and Mahmudul Hassan Khan, Deputy Director of Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF) were also present as special guests.
Speakers also called for the government to ensure social compliance in the tannery industry, build an eco-friendly and modern leather industrial city, implement measures to improve the occupational health and safety of workers, set up a 50-bed hospital in the leather industrial city, and ensure full implementation of maternity welfare facilities for female workers.
Source: The Business Standard
