Tannery Workers Union (TWU) on Tuesday alleged that widespread worker layoffs, the expansion of an illegal contractor system and a government initiative to bring the leather industry under BEPZA (Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority) have created extreme uncertainty in the sector.
They raised the concerns at a press conference at an event in the capital.
TWU President Abul Kalam Azad and General Secretary Abdul Malek said the revised minimum wage gazetted on November 21 last year and subsequently declared by the ministry has yet to be implemented in the tannery industry.
Despite nearly two years of discussion, tripartite meetings, and a final decision from the ministry, the owners have taken no effective steps toward implementation, they said.
The leaders alleged that owners are attempting to deny the announced wage to long-term employees by labeling them as 'temporary,' which is a clear violation of the labour law.
Besides, discussions for the renewal of bilateral agreements which were supposed to follow the finalisation of the wage board's decision have been delayed by the owners, putting workers' other benefits at risk.
Union leaders also said skilled and experienced workers and machine operators are being deliberately laid off and replaced by workers hired through contractors.
Advocate AK M Nasim, a member of the Labour Reform Commission, said, "The owners' procrastination in implementing the minimum wage despite the gazette publication and the inaction of government agencies are alarming. According to the law, all workers permanent, temporary, or contract-based—are entitled to equal wages, but reluctance to implement this is visible everywhere."
Criticizing the plan to shift the sector to an EPZ (Export Processing Zone), he said if the tannery sector is transferred under the EPZ, the freedom of association for workers could be severely harmed.
He also said under the recently amended labour law's enterprise cluster framework, while 20 workers can form a union, the maximum number is limited to five, which will weaken the organisational power of the workers.
Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Chairman of the Labour Reform Commission, said despite the tannery industry being important for Bangladesh hazardous conditions still persist.
Tannery workers ‘threaten agitation’ over unpaid revised minimum wage
“Keeping workers temporary for extended periods, delaying the announced minimum wage implementation, and creating uncertainty under the guise of review weakens the foundation of trust, the impact of which will eventually fall on the entire industry and the national economy," he said.
He emphasized that ensuring a dignified work environment for labourers is the joint responsibility of the state and the owners to restore stability in the industry.