The Cabinet on Monday approved in principle the draft of Bangladesh Labour Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 with new facilities for workers and 41 amendments. The approval was given at the weekly meeting of the cabinet held at the secretariat with prime-minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, said cabinet secretary, Md. Shafiul Alam.
The draft bill has been prepared and updated following the observation of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
“The amended law will be a labour-friendly one,” said the Cabinet Secretary.
The salient points of the draft law are: workers will be allowed to take part in trade unions with the consent of 20 per cent of workers in any industry; employers can appoint 14 to 18 years old as workers but anyone below the age of 14 cannot be employed, female workers will enjoy eight weeks maternity leave with an organization fined Tk. 25,000 in case the maternity clause is violated, a female worker has to be granted leave within three days after providing proof of pregnancy; strike action may be called with consent from 51 per cent workers; any sort of allegation at the labour court must be resolved within 90 days, with the provision of appeal if it’s not settled within 180 days.
The new law also provides cash Tk. 2,00000 financial aid for death during duty and Tk. 2,50,000 for permanent disability due to accident.
If any labour body brings foreign donations, the government has to be informed and labour organisation has to be registered within 55 days.
A proposal has been made for a tripartite unit, combining government, owners and workers to be formed for the welfare of the workers.