Hasina calls for good relations between workers, employers

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday put emphasis on maintaining good relations between the employers and workers to boost productivity for the country's further advancement.

"…creating such an atmosphere is very much essential," she said.

She also said the quality of the products would be enhanced if good relations are maintained by the employers and workers in mills and factories.

The premier said this while addressing a May Day discussion as the chief guest at the capital's Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, arranged by the ministry of labour and employment with State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque in the chair.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Labour and Employment Ministry Begum Mannujan Sufian, ILO Country Director in Bangladesh Srinivas B Reddy, President of Bangladesh Employers Federation Salauddin Quashem Khan, Jatiya Sramik League President Shukkur Mahmud, also spoke.

Labour and Employment Secretary Michail Shipar delivered the welcome address.

She said the government has taken steps to set up 100 economic zones for further industrialisation and creating more employment, and would provide all utility services like electricity, water and gas.

Calling upon the industrialists, she said, "If you establish mills and factories here and there by destroying agriculture land, we won't provide any utility services."

The premier said the amended labour act is being implemented for the welfare of the workers and employees.

"We have enhanced the minimum wages for the garment workers to Tk 5,300 from Tk 1,662, a 231.25 percent hike," she said.

Hasina said her government is determined to implement the multipurpose steps for the labour policy and welfare of the workers in line with the articles 15, 28, 38 and 40 as well as the ILO Convention. She said the fixation of minimum wage and wages re-fix process would continue keeping consistency with the living cost, inflation and growth rate.

"We have given an approval for constitution of the National Wage and Productivity Commission for the workers of state-owned mills and factories," she said. Later, she enjoyed a cultural function performed by the workers.