The Bangladesh Employers Federation (BEF) has raised serious concerns over recent recommendations to overhaul the country’s labour laws, warning that such changes could lead to chaos in industries and undermine investor confidence.
BEF Secretary General Faruk Ahmed highlighted that despite a tripartite agreement among stakeholders, the new proposals have been introduced without adequate consultation with key industry players. One contentious proposal suggests forming a union with just 20 workers, regardless of the size of the organization, a move the federation warns could be exploited by external vested interests to influence industry affairs.
The federation cautioned that these recommendations might damage the stability of workplaces and create divisions within organizations, ultimately harming both workers and employers. They expressed concern that instead of strengthening genuine trade unions, these reforms might foster chaos and instability in factories.
BEF emphasised that labour law reforms should be rooted in Bangladesh’s specific institutional capacities and industry context. They argued that imposing reforms based on external pressures could hinder effective implementation. The organisation also pointed out challenges such as inadequate institutional resources, a weak labour inspection system, and ineffective dispute resolution mechanisms that need urgent attention to ensure successful law enforcement.
Furthermore, BEF called on the International Labour Organization (ILO) and development partners to uphold the tripartite principle, ensuring that any monitoring or assessment be conducted through transparent discussions involving the government, workers, and employers. The federation stressed that it is primarily the government’s responsibility to pursue a balanced, realistic, and consultative approach to labor law reforms.
Concluding, BEF warned that while superficial amendments might appease external observers temporarily, they could jeopardize the long-term sustainability of industries, labor market stability, and the livelihoods of millions of workers in Bangladesh.
