PERMANENT MISSION OF INDIA
GENEVA
Discussions under Institutional Section
Agenda item INS/14:
Complaint concerning non-observance by Bangladesh of the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81), the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention,1948 (No. 87), and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98)
National Statement
340th Session of the Governing Body of ILO
(Delivered by: Mr. Vimarsh Aryan, First Secretary)
(Geneva, 10 November, 2020)
Mr. Chair,
We thank the Office for the background document on this agenda item and take note with appreciation of the comprehensive response filed by the government of Bangladesh against all the allegations made in the complaint.
2. We are encouraged to learn that in the last decade the labour and employment sector of Bangladesh has gone through massive legal and administrative reforms, supported by numerous concrete actions, including those relating to trade union activities, workplace safety, wages, skills development and labour welfare.
3. The government of Bangladesh has demonstrated strong commitment towards ensuring the rights of labourers which is evident in the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006 amended subsequently in 2013 and 2018 and the EPZ Law which was amended in February 2019. The fact that these amendments have been finalized through intense tripartite consultations and in close cooperation with the ILO is praiseworthy and reflects the seriousness Government of Bangladesh attaches to this issue.
4. We strongly believe that government of Bangladesh should be given additional time so that the intended consequences of these reforms percolate to the beneficiaries, especially in wake of the complications that have arisen due to the COVID19.
5. We urge the ILO and the international community to continue to support the government of Bangladesh in its efforts to strengthen employment and labour market policies, especially in addressing Covid-19 challenges that workers are facing at present.
6. Appreciating the government of Bangladesh’s strong commitment to working closely with the social partners in further promoting labour rights in the country, we recommend that government of Bangladesh should be given sufficient opportunity to resolve all the issues through regular supervisory mechanisms of the ILO.
7. We wish the government of Bangladesh all success in its endeavours.
Thank You, Chair.
