'Labor act to be amended following EU conditions'

Senior Correspondent: Law Minister Anisul Huq said necessary amendments will be made to the Labor Act and Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) Act following the recommendations made by the European Union (EU).

The minister came up with the disclosure after attending a meeting over Labor Act and BEPZA Act at the secretariat on Tuesday noon.

“We’ve advanced much in Labor Act and BEPZA Act, and amendments will be brought to the Acts considering the interest of the country along with recommendations made by the EU as they are the larger buyer of our garments,” the law minister said.

“We have managed to come into a positive conclusion during today’s meeting of stakeholders, and the decision will be informed to the Prime Minister and experts committee of International Labor Conference (ILC)”, he said.

The Acts will be introduced in the parliament this winter, he added.

In reference to the labor’s right of trade union in EPZ area, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said the existing Worker Welfare Association will work as trade union there.

State Minister for Labor and Employment Mujibul Haque, representatives of the BGMEA, BKMEA, and Secretary of PM’s office Suraiya Begum were present in the meeting.

risingbd/Dhaka/Nov 21, 2017/Noimuddin/AI