Bangladesh Labour Law 2006: A Critical Evaluation”

                                                  Executive Summary

“Bangladesh labour law 2006: A critical evaluation” is a research report consolidating with four problems and lacking’s in Bangladesh labour Act 2006 and a try to find out a solution of the related lacking’s. Since labour is an emergent subject as it comprises laws of practical importance in the modern commercial and industrial world. Hence the study of labour law has been given a high priority for employees’ rights and law by the professional institutes.

This research attempts to offer coverage of some concepts of labour laws, employees rigths as well as labour ideology the research explains the fundamental rights of the employees while working in the establishments. There are some statements from which we came to know about the lacking in the laws and try to find out in the establishments along with implementations. The problems stated are, when workers work they might face accidents and diseases which is not mandatory to inform the employer or the responsible person, secondly health and safety issue maintenance in organizations, thirdly the occupational safety such as infrastructural fitness, precautions in case of fir, use of hoists and lifts and means of escape etc and lastly the workers compensation and minimum wage prescribed by Government in establishments.

In this research I had surveyed in two organizations namely “MS. LA FASHOIN LTD” where 400 workers working and another is “AB SWEATERS LTD” where 800 workers are employed. I tried to find out the lacking’s in the organizations along with the labour Acts. The similarities and the mismatch regarding laws and establishments is the result of research.

There are lacking’s in establishments such as when workers meet with accidents or fall sick they do not inform to employer immediately because they think higher authority will not pay attention to them. The laws regarding accidents and diseases is not mandatory but the labour ministry and other professional institutions should make it mandatory. Medical check-up should be conducted after every 6 months by rotation of workers. By this workers will be satisfied over establishments. Secondly, the health and safety measures in establishments are not up to grade. The first aid treatment is present but it’s not enough. The equipment is not maintained properly and in hygiene way. The washing facilities is not enough for so many workers in the establishments and the wash room facilities to differentiate with curtains for male and female is not maintained. There is no canteen, rest room, lunch room and rooms for children in establishments. Workers take their lunch beside machinery and in the passages. Most of the workers live near the factories that are why there are no such rooms for workers. Thirdly, the occupational safety such as infrastructural fitness is not maintained properly. Inspection is done in the city after 3 months or 6 months but outside the city inspection is not done properly. Inspection was done more than a year ago. Workers face problems such as damn wall, destruction of wall paints etc. in case of means of escape such as fire, training is given and outside stairways is also maintained properly. Training in case of machinery use, fire drills, fire extinguisher etc. are also given. Lastly, when the workers face accidents they get both monetary and monetary workers compensation depending on the severity of injury and the minimum wage which is prescribed by Government is not followed yet but it will be followed whenever Government will permit. Workers hope to get 5300/= per month at the end of the month starting a new year.