Workers’ rights, jobs among govt priorities: Mahdi Amin

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Labour and Employment Mahdi Amin on Wednesday said protecting workers’ rights and creating extensive employment opportunities are among the government’s top priorities.
He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with a high-level delegation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) at the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s conference room at the Secretariat.
Mahdi Amin said the government is working with utmost sincerity to strengthen workers’ rights and wants to move forward in collaboration with international organisations such as the ITUC and IOE, while giving due consideration to their recommendations.
Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury was also present at the meeting. 
The delegation included ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle, IOE Vice-Chair Kaiser Moyane, ILO Governing Body Member Jess Vogt and ILO Country Director Max Tuñón.
Welcoming the delegation, Mahdi Amin said the visit and tripartite discussions would help assess Bangladesh’s progress in implementing the ILO roadmap and identify the way forward.
“Under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, our government is committed to ensuring workers’ welfare, decent work, and productive employment,” he said.
He said the newly elected government amended the Bangladesh Labour Act during the first session of the National Parliament, shortly after assuming office.
Bangladesh has also recently ratified ILO Conventions Nos. 155, 187 and 189, while the government has taken steps to strengthen labour administration and ensure speedy dispute resolution, he added.
The government’s immediate priority is to formulate the Bangladesh Labour Rules as soon as possible and effectively implement the amended Act, the adviser said.
ITUC and IOE representatives praised the recent labour sector reforms, expressing satisfaction with the amendments to labour laws, the simplified and faster trade union registration process, and initiatives on workplace safety and fair wages.