Bangladesh will ratify International Labour Organization (ILO) convention 138 concerning the minimum age for admission to any type of employment or work by December 2021.
State Minister for Labour Monnujan Sufian made the commitment on Wednesday at a virtual session of the 109th International Labour Conference (ILC).
“With this Bangladesh will ratify all eight core conventions of ILO,” she said.
In order to further improvement of labour rights and workplace safety Bangladesh is developing a roadmap in consultation with ILO and employers’ and workers’ organisations at national and global levels, she noted.
Last year the country has established three new labour courts and has also planned to establish four new labour courts for quick disposal of the cases, the minister informed the session.
The world of work is facing unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19, she said adding the government has issued a 31-point directive for reducing its impact.
Bangladesh has experienced a sharp decrease in export receipts, particularly in the RMG sector, due to cancellation of orders and lower prices due to Covid, she noted.
Many factory owners are forced to stop production while many Bangladeshi migrant workers have lost their jobs, the minister noted.
Explaining the government’s recovery packages worth US$ 15.11 billion, she said around US$ 1.0 billion has been given for the salaries of workers.
She also mentioned that with the help of ILO, they have adopted guidelines to ensure Occupational Health and Safety during COVID.
A total of 23 special crisis management committees have been set up to monitor the labour situation while telemedicine service is being provided to the workers, Ms Monnujan added.
