Workers need fair wages, safety and institutional recognition: Speakers

Speakers at a labour conference called for fair wages, workplace safety and institutional recognition for workers, saying these are essential to an inclusive and equitable labour market.

Today (5 September), the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) opened its 10th Biennial Conference and General Meeting in Dhaka, according to a press release.

Held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh in Kakrail, the event carried the theme "Moving forward with a commitment to dignity, rights and justice".

Speakers said workers deserved proper recognition and acknowledgement for their contributions to society. They added that fair wages should be regarded as a civil right and part of state welfare.

They observed that many workers remained outside formal recognition, preventing them from receiving the acknowledgement and benefits they deserved.

The discussions highlighted the need to strengthen women's leadership in trade unions, increase young workers' participation and ensure workers' involvement in negotiations and dialogue.

Speakers also stressed effective social dialogue and cooperation between employers and workers to build a responsible and inclusive labour market.

Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain attended the event as chief guest.

He emphasised workplace safety, secure working conditions and the importance of building an inclusive Bangladesh.

Many workers were still employed in the informal sector, he said, adding that every worker must receive proper recognition if the country wanted to improve its labour environment.

The speakers also expressed concern over workers' safety and wages.

Special guests included Dr Mahdi Amin, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Education, Primary and Mass Education, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, and Labour and Employment Affairs; Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, lawmaker and Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal Central Coordinator; Labour and Employment Secretary Abdur Rahman Tarfadar; NGO Affairs Bureau Director General Dr Mohammad Jahangir Alam; and ILO Bangladesh Country Director Max Tunon.

Representatives from the Embassy of the Netherlands, Japan International Labour Foundation, Bangladesh Employers' Federation, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Bangladesh, Danish Trade Union Development Agency, IndustriALL Global Union–South Asia and ActionAid Bangladesh were also invited and attended as guests.

BILS Chairman Majibur Rahman Bhuiyan presided over the event.

BILS Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan delivered the welcome and opening remarks. BILS Advisory Council Member Farida Akhtar read out a condolence motion, and Executive Director Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed delivered the vote of thanks.

After the inaugural session, Zahid inaugurated the "Freedom Fighter Nazrul Islam Khan Resource Centre and BILS Library".