US, EU raise concerns over trade union registration in Bangladesh: Labour secretary

The United States and the European Union have raised concerns over the process of trade union registration in Bangladesh, alleging that the system is influenced by employers, said Labour and Employment Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman today.

Speaking at an event at Shram Bhaban in Bijoynagar, Dhaka, he said, "Foreigners are most concerned about trade union registration. In the last 10 months, I have visited the International Labour Organization three times. There, the US, EU and everyone else is saying that Bangladesh has made trade union registration complicated."

"They are saying the government is manipulating the system. We are giving [approval for] whatever the owners want… This is their huge concern," he added.

At the event, Labour leader Atiqur Rahman said, "It is heard that office work and lobbying are continuing as before. Files are being rejected repeatedly… It is being said that some federations are receiving registration, while others are not."

"There must be an option for workers to lodge complaints so that senior officials in the labour ministry can see them," he added.

In response, Labour Secretary Shafiquzzaman said if the Bangladesh Labour Act is amended, issues like physical verification would become easier, which would in turn simplify the trade union formation process.

According to labour ministry officials, the full process of trade union registration has not yet been brought online. Some parts are still handled manually, and all information from employers cannot yet be verified digitally.

The labour secretary noted that efforts are underway to fully digitise the process, which will help reduce complaints and improve transparency. 

German development organisation GIZ is providing support to the ministry for this effort.

The comments were made during the relaunch of the upgraded toll-free labour helpline (16357), operated by the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE).

The number is available 24/7 for workers to lodge complaints, and a dedicated system has been developed for managing submissions.

Representatives from DIFE, the Department of Labour, labour organisations, and Dr Silvia Popp, country project director for GIZ, also spoke at the event.