Industrial Relations in Bangladesh

Presentation By

Tasnim Chowdhury 2019-1-95-029

K.G Erfan Uddin 2019-1-95-093
Salma Akter 2019-1-95-105
Fariha Tasnim 2019-2-95-069
Samaun Sadiya Chowdhury 2019-3-95-056
 Historical Context
• Trade Union Act, 1926 (with the purpose of registration
and defining law of trade union and industrial activities)
• Then comes 1929 (to control the labor disputes)
• The Industrial Disputes Act 1947 (for the settlement of
industrial disputes permanently)
• The Trade Union Act 1926 & 1965 was combined later
by West and East Pakistan
• From 1947 to 1969 (continuing labor agitation and
industrial unrest)
 Historical Context
• The Labor Disputes Act, 1965 and Trade Unions Act, 1965
was combined into one law (Industrial Relations Ordinance,
1969), for recognition of collective bargaining agents for
establishment
• In 1972, with the purpose of reduction of trade union
activities in welfare organizations the government declared
some labor policies
•1974 Emergency Power Ordinance, 1974 was promoted
• In 1980 the Labor Policy of 1980, restored the right to
freedom of association
• 2001-2006 (with the updated labor laws and legal
frameworks)
• Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006 (continues)
 Labour Act 2006

• Applies to whole Bangladesh for any industrial or

commercial establishments Except construction workers
and agricultural sector (informal workers)
• Minimize conflicts and to achieve harmonious relations
• Grants protection to the trade union
• Recognizes the right of the workers in Civil Aviation
and seamen to form separate trade unions
 Labour Act 2006

• Simplified the process to form a collective bargaining

agent (CBA)
• Describes the industrial dispute settlement mechanism
also
• The trade union federation can work as a collective
bargaining agent for a member of trade union.
• Ensures the workers scope on freedom of association
 Trade Union
• Due to very poor literacy level, workers of
Bangladesh are completely in the dark about
their rights and obligations.
• The labor force participation rate in trade
unionism is only 12%.
• Union involvement in private organization is
very low.
• Political influence is always there.
 Working hours
Working Hours (Statistical Report)
• Employed person- on average of 48 hours in a week (2016-
17)
• Male employees- 52 hours on average (more hours)
• Female employees- 46 hours on average
• In rural areas, working hour 46 (fewer)
• In urban areas, working hour 51
• In city corporation areas, 56 working hour
• Industry sector, at 54 hours
• Service sector, at 53 hours
• Agriculture sector, at 39 hours
 Continue

• Accommodation, food service, transportation and

storage, at 58 hours
• Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles, at
57 hours
• Manufacturing, at 55 hours
• Minimum hours worked found in Agriculture, forestry
and fishing, at 39 hours and
• Education, at 41 hours
 Excessive hours of work

Working hours cannot exceed eight hours per day or 48

hours per week
•Industry sector has 69.1% of employed workers with
excessive work weeks
• Workers in the Service sector, at 64.1 per cent
• In urban areas, the industry sector had the largest share,
at 75.0 per cent of employed workers with excessive work
weeks
 Employers association in Industrial relations

• Non-profit organization
• organized around geography, size, or type of
organization
• Costs shared by multiple members
• Employer associations are voluntary for their
members
Employers association in Industrial relations

• Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers & Exporters

Association (BGMEA)
• Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers & Exporters
Association (BKMEA)
• Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA)
• Bangladesh Ceramic & Glassware Importers Association
• Bangladesh Organic Products Manufacturers Association
(BOPMA)
• Animal Health Companies Association of Bangladesh
(AHCAB)
 The EPZ Workers Association

• Recognizes the right of the workers to form association,

regulation of relations and settlement of differences or
dispute arising between employers and workers

• Applies to the workers and employers in the Export

Processing Zones established under the Bangladesh
Export Processing Zones Authority Act, 1980
 Limitation of IR in Bangladesh

In the context of developing countries like Bangladesh,

• High exploitation of workers
• Low level of worker participation in decision making
• Government and political interferences
• High rate of illiteracy of workers
• Low level of employment
• Low level of awareness among the laborers regarding
rights, laws, and trade unionism
• and low labor productivity
Thank You