The New Nation - Internet Edition

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry-DCCI held a seminar on 'Labour Law Compliance in Selected Export Industries of Bangladesh "in cooperation with German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) on April 20 at the DCCI Auditorium (5th Floor) at Motijheel Commercial Area in the city.

Dr Mahfuzul Haque, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment who attended the seminar as the chief guest, laid emphasis on training and awareness building for labour law compliance. He also suggested rewarding the industries which comply with labour law appropriately. He praised the recent formation of a crises management committee jointly by the government and private bodies in the RMG sector. He also felt the need of Auditing system of international standards in the RMG industry to meet labour law compliance issues appropriately.

President of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Fazlul Haq informed that his association has conducted a baseline study on labour law compliance in the knitwear industry and found the performance of the industries satisfactory in labour law compliance.

DCCI Senior Vice-President Salauddin Abdullah read out the written statement of DCCI President Hossain Khaled. In the address, he said, the objective of the seminar, among others, is to discuss the findings of a DCCI study on Labour Law Compliance in Selected Export Industries of Bangladesh" It covered different aspects of labour law-2006 of Bangladesh and the states of compliance of relevant industrial laws and rules applicable to the industry considering the needs of the export sectors to cope with the trend of globalisation." Stressing on the need of modernising the labour law, he said, modern labour laws constitute a key element for the success of the adaptability of workers and entrepreneurs.

One of the objectives of the labour law is to promote skilled, trained and adaptable workforce and labour market responsive to the challenges stemming from the combined impact of globalisation, he said. He also informed that the study covered major export sectors of Bangladesh like Readymade Garments (woven & knit), Frozen Food, leather and footwear, jute goods, ceramics and home textiles and a large chunk of the total export earning comes from these sectors. In order to achieve targeted export growth of these sectors efficiency of labour needs to be improved, he pointed out. He also stated that Bangladesh showed some competitiveness in exports and our new generation entrepreneurs have already shown their professionalism. We have developed our skills to be compliant in some areas and our export sector has achieved considerable progress through RMG, Jute and so many others. Through them Bangladesh has earned a lot but we do like to achieve more," he added.

DCCI Consultant, Dr. M. Muniruzzaman, presented the keynote paper, while Chairman, Bangladesh Jute Mills Associations Nazmul Haque and Chairman, Tariff Commission Dr. Syed Naquib Muslim were the designated discussants.

DCCI Past President ASM Quasem gave a brief summary of the labour law compliance and moderated the seminar. Programme Coordinator of the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) Dietrich Stotz also spoke on the occasion.'