ILO trains officials on probing unfair labour practices

FT ONLINE

Thirty labour officials have received training on principles and techniques of investigation into unfair labour practices to protect workers against discriminations.

The five-day residential training for the officials of the Department of Labour, organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), ended at Savar on Thursday.

The training was held under the ILO's Promoting Social Dialogue and Harmonious Industrial Relations in the Bangladesh Ready-Made Garment Industries (SDIR) Project funded by Sweden and Denmark.

At the workshop, the participants showed a sound knowledge of the main elements of the principle of Freedom of Association and discussed relevant national legislation, said an ILO statement.

They also looked at the most frequent violations and practised the soft skills required to conduct adequate investigations.

DoL director general Shib Nath Roy said, "I want to stress the importance of the duties that you, investigators of unfair labour practices, carry out."

"It is of vital importance both for the Bangladeshi workforce and employers to count on your support in order to safeguard their right to freedom of association."

He underscored the need to develop various tracking and reporting formats for the department.

Country director of ILO Bangladesh Tuomo Poutiainen highlighted the importance of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensuring harmonious industrial relations.

"Cases of anti-union discrimination and unfair labour practices must be dealt in a systematic and credible manner," he said.

He suggested creating greater awareness among workers and employers of the procedures.

ILO's SDIR project assists the local government in developing the SOPs on anti-union discrimination and unfair labour practices, the statement added.