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Apparel manufacturers to maintain international standards |
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December 19, 2000
Dhaka-- (UNB)- Apparel manufacturers have assured safety and healthcare for workers to boost their image on export market, following negative impact of job hazards. “We want to achieve a position to claim that we maintain international standards in our workplaces,” BGMEA president Anisur Rahman Sinha told a press conference yesterday. Following constant monitoring of their association, most of the apparel factories are abiding by the laws, he claimed, adding that steps are underway against the violators. But some proposed amendments of factory laws, including extension of working hours, will burden the load of the already low-paid workers in the country’s garment factories. The amendments, proposed by the BGMEA and two allied associations, are required to update the 1965 labour laws making them suitable for the textile sector, leaders of three textile associations said. The apparel-sector leaders however said in many cases they do beyond the laws for the welfare of the workers. They cited the recent fire incident at a Narsingdi towel factory, where victims were given Tk 1 lakh each. As per the existing law, compensation for casualty at workplace is Tk 21,000 per head. They would submit recommendations to the parliamentary standing committee on Labour Ministry by Wednesday (December 20) for an updated labour law suiting the garment industry and complying with the ILO conventions, BGMEA president Anisur Rahman Sinha told the press. Amendments proposed by the textile associations include extension of weekly working hours to 72 which was 60 in the 1965 factory law. Adult workers in 100 per cent export-oriented garment factory should be allowed to work 72 hours a week ‘on the basis of understanding between owners and workers,’ it proposed. The 1965 laws set the maximum working limit of individual workers at 10 hours a day. But the textile leaders proposed the ceiling be raised to 12 hours for garment workers. They also sought amendment to the overtime provisions. The 1965 laws specified that every worker would get double the gross salary if he or she works overtime (more than 48 hours a week). But textile owners have wished to pay the workers double their basic salary as overtime. The 1965 law fixed the working hours for women labourers between 7am and 8pm, which the textile owners proposed be made 7am-10pm. The proposed amendments also sought permission to delay payment of monthly salary till 15th and overtime bill till 25th of the next month. As per the existing laws, employers are to make the payment by the 7th. Seeking amendment to the 1939 maternity law, they proposed a female worker should not be entitled to claim maternity benefit if she did not join the job at least two years before the delivery. The period was nine months as per the previous law. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) leaders Benajir Ahmed and Engr Nurul Huq Shikder, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) vice president Fazlul Haque and Bangladesh Terry Towel and Linen Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BTTLMEA) vice chairman Velayet Hossain also spoke on the occasion. |