Insights

• The ILO country office in Dhaka has recommended reforms in wage structure, policy and labour laws; strengthening of legal protections; a strong national industrial relations system; a comprehensive social protection system; and a national occupational safety and health system to address the problems in the country's garments sector.
• Amendments to the Bangladesh Labour Act are needed.

The International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) country office in Dhaka has recommended reforms in wage structure and policy; reforms in labour laws and strengthening of legal protections; a strong national industrial relations system; setting up a comprehensive social protection system; and developing a national occupational safety and health (OSH) system to address the problems in the country’s readymade garments (RMG) sector.

The recent labour unrest in the RMG and other sectors arising from a range of worker grievances highlights ‘significant systemic issues’ that demand urgent attention and resolution, the ILO said in a release.

Developing an evidence-based, gender-responsive national wage policy is vital for regular and fair wage setting, it noted. Reforming the minimum wage mechanism and ensuring inclusive consultations between employers and workers will help address wage-related grievances, including the move towards providing living wages.

Sectoral wage boards and strong collective bargaining mechanisms must be established to prevent and de-escalate unrest related to wages...

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