There are lots. The legal system is the main one. The Bangladeshi
government has ratified ILO Conventions 87 and 98 [guaranteeing freedom
of association and collective bargaining]. However, according to the
2006 Bangladesh Labour Law, to be able to organise a union you need at
least 30 per cent of the factory workforce. Secondly, when the union
activists gather 30 per cent of the workforce, the union list is
disclosed to the factory owner before registration with the labour
ministry. Thirdly, other provisions in the labour law allow employers to
dismiss staff when they are seen organising other workers; and often
when factory workers organise, managers simply close down the factory.
Nothing in the law can protect the workers from this. So there’s a lack
of protection for workers organising unions.
Besides the legal barriers, many of the owners of garment factories are civil servants and members of parliament. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 100 out of 300 MPs are directly or indirectly involved in the garment business. MPs have a lot of influence in all government bodies – police, inspectors and the law enforcement departments. The law is in favour of businesspeople and not garment workers.
Then there are issues around organising the workers themselves. Most come from marginalised communities. They are from rural areas, so aren’t accustomed to urban life and their educational background is poor. Bangladesh is a male-dominated society – women are treated as second-class citizens. In the organising process women face a lot of prejudice from their families and from society as a whole when they engage with trade unions. This is why rights awareness education and campaigning is very important.
Besides the legal barriers, many of the owners of garment factories are civil servants and members of parliament. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 100 out of 300 MPs are directly or indirectly involved in the garment business. MPs have a lot of influence in all government bodies – police, inspectors and the law enforcement departments. The law is in favour of businesspeople and not garment workers.
Then there are issues around organising the workers themselves. Most come from marginalised communities. They are from rural areas, so aren’t accustomed to urban life and their educational background is poor. Bangladesh is a male-dominated society – women are treated as second-class citizens. In the organising process women face a lot of prejudice from their families and from society as a whole when they engage with trade unions. This is why rights awareness education and campaigning is very important.
