BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Monday emphasised that the welfare of working people should be a key part of any development plan and said the government to be elected next will be responsible for implementing the Labour Manifesto.
“The Labour Manifesto was unveiled with the support of individuals and organisations that have long been working for labour movements and workers’ interests in the country. Those who come to power through the next election will have the responsibility to implement the Labour Manifesto,” he said.
Speaking at a National Convention on the Labour Manifesto, organised by the National Advocacy Alliance for Workers’ Rights at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Centre in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, the BNP leader also said those who will not come to power should apply pressure to ensure the manifesto’s implementation.
Nazrul, a BNP Standing Committee member, said political parties represent the people, and working people constitute a major segment of the population, making them vital to any political consideration.
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Referring to official statistics, he said Bangladesh currently has around 7.5 crore working people, while the country’s total population was about 7.5 crore at the time of independence.
“These working people are the earning members of their families, and their influence extends to other family members. In any political consideration, such a large population cannot be ignored,” he said.
The BNP leader expressed the hope that workers’ welfare will be considered an integral part of any development initiative undertaken by those entrusted with governing the state.
He also expressed the hope that political parties will cooperate in implementing the demands and aspirations of workers reflected in the manifesto.
“As politicians, we will take responsibility to ensure that working people gain satisfaction and dignity by receiving what is rightfully theirs, in the interest of the people and the country,” Nazrul said.
He also urged political parties, the media and all stakeholders to support workers’ rights in line with the Constitution, existing labour laws, and Bangladesh’s international commitments through various conventions and ratifications.
In the changed political situation, Nazrul said, whoever is entrusted with governing the country should take initiatives to fulfil the state’s unavoidable obligations towards working people, ensuring their participation, productivity and contribution to national development.
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At the same programme, BNP Standing Committee member Dr Moyeen Khan said creating resources and adopting proper planning are essential to protecting workers’ rights and interests.
“The issue of workers’ rights is not new. These rights were incorporated in our Constitution in written form some 54 years ago. The question is why we still have to raise fresh demands for workers’ rights,” he said.
Dr Moyeen Khan said the most important factor in protecting workers’ interests and ensuring their rightful entitlements is wealth creation.
“Without creating wealth, it is not possible to meet the needs of the poor. That is why adopting proper, realistic and effective planning is absolutely essential,” he observed.
Representatives of political parties, international organisations, labour unions and workers’ rights bodies also attended the programme.