What is Working Condition Policy in Bangladesh?
The Working Condition Policy in the Garments Industry of Bangladesh is primarily governed by the Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006, along with its amendments, and relevant international labor standards. These policies aim to ensure worker safety, welfare, and fair working conditions.
Key components include the following:
1. Working Hours
- Regular Working Hours: Workers can work up to 8 hours a day and 48 hours a week.
- Overtime: Workers can work up to 10 hours a day with a maximum of 12 hours of overtime per week. Overtime is paid at double the regular wage rate.
2. Rest and Breaks
- Workers are entitled to a 1-hour break after 5 hours of work.
- Weekly Holidays: Workers are entitled to one day off per week, typically Friday.
- Annual Leave: Workers are entitled to a minimum of 10 days of casual leave and 14 days of paid annual leave after one year of continuous service.
3. Wages and Compensation
- Minimum Wage: The government sets minimum wages for different categories of workers in the garments sector, ensuring fair compensation. Wages must be paid within a fixed period, typically within the first 7 working days of the following month.
- Wage Increments: Employers must provide periodic increments and bonuses based on company policy and performance.
4. Health and Safety
- Safe Work Environment: Factories must ensure proper ventilation, lighting, and cleanliness. They must also provide safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, including separate toilets for men and women.
- Fire Safety: Factories must have fire safety equipment, regular fire drills, and well-maintained exit routes to protect workers from accidents.
- First Aid and Medical Care: Factories are required to provide first aid boxes and, in some cases, on-site medical services for emergencies.
- Accident Prevention: Employers must ensure machinery is properly maintained and workers are trained to handle equipment safely.
5. Child and Adolescent Labor
- Prohibition of Child Labor: Employment of children under the age of 14 is strictly prohibited in the garments industry.
- Adolescent Workers: Workers aged between 14 and 18 are allowed to work under certain conditions, such as restricted working hours and types of work. They must be medically certified fit for work.
6. Maternity Benefits
- Female workers are entitled to 16 weeks of paid maternity leave (8 weeks before and 8 weeks after childbirth).
- Employers cannot terminate a worker’s employment due to pregnancy.
7. Workplace Harassment and Abuse Prevention
- The policy prohibits verbal, physical, and sexual harassment in the workplace. Companies must establish mechanisms for reporting and addressing grievances related to abuse or harassment.
8. Trade Union and Workers' Rights
- Workers have the right to form and join trade unions to collectively bargain for improved working conditions, wages, and other labor rights.
- Factories must engage in collective bargaining with worker representatives if requested.
9. Disciplinary Action for Violating Working Conditions
- The policy ensures disciplinary actions for violations of labor laws, including unsafe working conditions, withholding wages, or mistreatment of workers.
10. Grievance Mechanism
- Workers have access to a formal grievance mechanism to report violations of labor standards, unsafe working conditions, or disputes regarding pay and benefits. Factories are required to have procedures in place to address these complaints effectively.
Compliance and Enforcement
The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) in Bangladesh enforces these laws through inspections. Factories that violate working condition policies can face penalties, including fines, factory closure, or license revocation.
Conclusion:
In recent years, several initiatives led by both the government and international organizations (such as the Accord on Fire and Building Safety and the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety) have helped improve working conditions in the garments industry in Bangladesh.