Rights in 1998, with reservations placed on arts 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8.21 Till now Bangladesh also
ratified 33 ILO Conventions including 7 out of 8 core ones out of the total 190 ILO Conventions
after its membership into the ILO in 1972. It can be argued that the Constitution has given
several rights to the labours in the light of the international legal documents and in the wake of
indomitable pressure of labourers.
10. Security and Safety Net under the Labour Law
10.1. Security
The word security is not separately defined in the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006. However, the
security of the workers has been discussed in the Act very extensively which includes conditions
of service ranging from the stage of appointment to the stage of termination of service and even
beyond and relates to matters pertaining to disciplinary action. Truly, the insecurity of female
workers is comparatively higher than male workers. 22 However, there are a good number of
provisions under some chapters collectively dealing with the purposes of security of workers
discussed here.
So far the employment standard is concerned, the Act sets a very sound standard rules that an
employment contract between the employers and the workers in an industrial and commercial
establishment must be in writing. Every employer is required to issue a formal appointment letter
and an identity card with photograph at the time of employment of each worker. 23 The
appointment letter shall contain the main terms and conditions of employment, i.e. nature and
tenure of appointment, pay allowances and other benefits and terms and conditions of
appointment. In addition to this, section 6 of the Act provides for maintenance of a service book
for workers (excluding apprentice, badli or casual worker) which will include worker’s name and
parents’ names, date of birth, description of any distinguishing marks, name and address of
previous employer, if any, tenure of employment, profession or title, wages and allowances,
behaviour of the worker. Besides, section 9 of the Act requires the employers to maintain a
In this regard, the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, 1998 (86th session) is also
relevant.
22
M.J Alam Mamun, M. Z. and N Islam, (2004), Workplace Security of Female Garments Workers in Bangladesh,
Social Science Review21(2): 191-200.
23
Section 5 of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006.
21