HC issues rule asking why workers will not receive share of profits from export-oriented companies

The High Court has issued a rule asking the government why workers will not be given a share of profits earned by export-oriented companies.

The court also sought to know why the provision of the Workers Profit Participatory Fund (WPPF), aimed at making workers partners in the profits of export-oriented sectors including the ready-made garments industry, has not been incorporated into the existing labour law.

The High Court directed the secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the secretary of the Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs, and the director general of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) under the Labour Ministry to respond to the rule within the next two weeks.

The order was issued on Wednesday (14 January) by High Court Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Md Anwarul Islam following a writ petition filed by the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation, an organisation working for garment workers.

Barrister Omar Sadat, counsel for the petitioner, confirmed the matter to The Business Standard.

Speaking about the writ, Babul Akhter, general secretary of the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation, told TBS, "Although the labour law includes the WPPF provision for profit-sharing in companies in other sectors, export-oriented industries have not been brought under this provision. As a result, workers in the garment sector and other export-oriented industries are being deprived of their share of profits."

"The writ was filed to ensure that workers in export-oriented sectors also have the opportunity to participate in profits," he added.