Workers Welfare Association to be formed in EPZs: Tofail
Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed yesterday said Workers Welfare Association (WWA) in Export Processing Zones (EPZs) will be formed as per International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions which is almost similar to trade union to ensure workers rights.
“The workers can form trade union at their respective workplaces for bargaining against their demands with the authority,” he said while briefing the reporters after a meeting with the delegation of European Parliament at secretariat.
Member of European Parliament (EP) Arne Lietz, EO chair of the development committee Linda McAvan, commerce secretary in charge Shubhashish Bose, and ambassador of the EU delegation to Bangladesh, Pierre Mayaudon were present at the briefing.
He said Bangladesh achieved enormous progress in fulfilling compliance of Ready Made Garments (RMG) after Rana Plaza collapse in 2013.
“We have no problem with the European Union (EU) at this moment,” he said adding “If any problem will emerge in future we will mitigate through discussion.”
Commerce minister said the 54 per cent of total exports go to EU which around $18 billion and set a target to reach $20 billion by this year.
He also said the EU delegate expressed their satisfaction over compliance of the RMG factories.
Tofail, however said at the beginning of monitoring of Accord and Alliance at the RMG factories they felt annoyed. But ultimately, this monitoring helped the factory owners to ensure necessary compliances.
We ensured the women empower through the RMG sector as at least 80 per cent of workers are women in RMG factories, he noted.
He further said Bangladesh is committed to ensure the rights of workers.
“Our government increased the 338 per cent salary after coming in power on 2009 and we form a wage board every five years,” he added saying “The salary of workers increase at five per cent per annum.”
Commerce minister alleged that the entrepreneurs invested a lot of money to ensure the compliance but the global did not increase the price RMG products. Arne Lietz emphasized on burning power of trade union in the factories including EPZs.
The chief of visiting EP delegation praised Bangladesh as it has achieved many things during last decade for achieving the millennium development goals.
He is also hopeful for future of Bangladesh and achieving the sustainable development goals.
Bangladesh came long away in last decade and will have to go long way together with trade union, he said adding “there is need to ensure education and health facilities for the workers and their children ensuring good governance in the factories.”
EU believes that the government, and RMG owners will work with the workers unions together for strong union so that they can bargain against their demands.
The EU delegation also called upon Bangladesh to ensure more business-friendly environment for becoming a middle income country by 2021.
Arne also stressed the need for democratic development and freedom of expression to get the additional trade incentives from the new status.
Source: http://www.theindependentbd.com