Committee to revise Labour Act

The government has decided to form a committee to further scrutinise the recently-approved Labour Act after the United States revoked Generalised System of Preference (GSP) status for Bangladesh.

This Act was earlier cleared by the Cabinet. But it has again been called for revision.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Cabinet took the decision on Monday.

Cabinet Secretary Muhammad Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan briefed media after the meeting.

It would have a more positive impact if the existing Labour Act could be revamped further, he said after being asked if the Cabinet discussed GSP issues. “They decided to improve this law.”

The amended Labour Act-2013 has been recently cleared by the Cabinet and it now awaits approval of Parliament.

On Jun 27 last month, the US suspended GSP to Bangladesh. It justified the suspension saying Bangladesh needed to improve factory working conditions.

According to the Secretary, Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain will head the committee.

“Labour Act revision is a continuous process and the Prime Minister felt the need to improve it further.”

It will improve working conditions and rights of the workers, the Secretary said.

Source: Bd news24