The New Nation - Internet Edition

General strikes by the workers in the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) have been banned till October 2010. Moreover, workers and employees are not allowed to maintain liaison with political parties or trade unions outside the EPZs during this period. According to media reports, the council of advisers of the caretaker government approved in principle the amended EPZ Trade Union and Industrial Relations Act 2004.

The ban on strike does not necessarily mean prohibition on all forms of trade union movements. According to the constitution of the country, rights to organise trade unions and conduct movements are fundamental rights of the working class. The above mentioned Act allowed the EPZ workers to organise trade unions. So a total ban on trade union activities would be infringement upon their rights and violation of the constitutional provisions. However, under certain context some restrictions on the trade union movements may be imposed for greater national interests. But precautions should be taken so that the ban on general strike does not amount to violation of trade union rights. From the limited time span of the ban, it seems that the government might have taken the step purely on a temporary basis.

According sources, some labour and human rights groups mounted pressure on the government to implement trade union rights at the EPZs. On the other hand, some foreign traders reportedly show reluctance to import goods from EPZs in Bangladesh if trade union movements of the workers are not allowed. So, Bangladesh government should be cautious in handling the issue. A check and balance must be maintained so that trade union rights are not violated while the national interests are not jeopardised as a result of violent movements. The workers have every right to conduct movements to realise their legitimate rights. But they should refrain from movements resembling last year's violent labour unrest that led to the closure of a number of industrial units and rendered many workers jobless. Country's export trade also suffered much. All stakeholders must come to a synthesis where interests of all are served. The workers must not exert undue pressure on the management of the industrial units while the authorities of the industries must not take advantage of the aforesaid ban on strike to deprive the workers from their due privileges.

Ariful Huq

Dhaka