Repeal trade association bill

The National Garments Workers' Federation stages a demonstration in the city yesterday demanding repeal of the Trade Association and Industrial Relations Bill, 2004. PHOTO: STAR

The Jatiya Sangsad recently passed the bill allowing limited trade unionism in the export processing zones (EPZs) from November 1, 2006.

The law has made it mandatory to obtain the permission of owners before forming trade unions in the EPZs -- which is inconsistent with the labour law as well as International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention, said the federation leaders at a rally at Muktangan in the city.

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The ILO convention has guaranteed the right to form unions for collective bargaining, they added.

The leaders also protested another provision of the law prohibiting formation of more than one federation in an area.

"Trade unionism is the right of workers; so it is ridiculous to hold vote before forming any workers' association in the EPZs," said federation General Secretary Amirul Haque Amin.

The government wants to deprive the workers of their rights through this law, he added.

Advocate Abed Reza, advisor to the federation, termed the bill a black law.

It will only serve the interests of the owners as workers would not be able to form their association freely, he said.

He also called on the workers' organisations to unite against the 'anti-worker' law.

Later, the garments workers paraded the streets in a procession to press home their demand.