Since the interim government on Wednesday ratified three conventions of the International Labour Organisation, chief adviser Muhammad Yunus described the day as memorable one in the history of realising the rights of working people in Bangladesh.
鈥楾his day will remain as memorable one in the history of realising the rights of working people in Bangladesh,鈥� a chief adviser鈥檚 press wing press release quoted the CA as saying in the ILO convention signing ceremony.
The ratification ceremony was held at the state Guest house Jamuna in Dhaka.
Labour and employment as well as shipping adviser M Sakhawat Hussain signed the instruments of ratification on behalf of the government in the presence of the chief adviser.
The three ratified conventions are Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155); Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187); and Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190). Of these, conventions 187 and 155 were declared as fundamental conventions by the ILO in 2022.
Recalling the 2013 Rana Plaza disaster, chief adviser said, 鈥楢fter the Rana Plaza tragedy, the then government agreed to do everything. But nothing happened as per their commitment. They kept saying 鈥渋t is being done, it will be done鈥�. But we said鈥� 鈥渘o more it is being done, it will be done鈥� 鈥攚e must do it.鈥�
鈥楽ince I took office as the chief adviser, labour rights were my first priority. I held meetings time and again and kept saying everywhere that this must be done. Signing this will benefit all of us,鈥� he said.
鈥業 was told I had to go to the next Geneva meeting. I tried to understand why no one had gone in the past meetings,鈥� Yunus added.
Expressing gratitude to all involved in the process for their tireless efforts, he said, 鈥楢fter a long journey, we have reached our destination. This is the first step.鈥�
Noting that signing the papers is not the end, rather the real work begins, the chief adviser said, 鈥榃e must keep our commitments that we made. What the convention says, what rights it talks about, must be conveyed to everyone. Everyone must be made aware.鈥�
Terming the day as a memorable one in the history of Bangladesh鈥檚 labour rights, he said, 鈥楩rom the tragedy of Rana Plaza to today鈥檚 signing, we have reached a milestone. At least we complete the paper related part.鈥�
鈥榃e moved one step forward of the responsibility that the workers of Rana Plaza bestowed on us by sacrificing their lives. I had promised to myself that I will do this. Today, I feel joy that we reached a stage. Our efforts will bear fruit if we ensure full and sincere implementation of it,鈥� he said.
Chief adviser鈥檚 special envoy on international affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Chief Adviser鈥檚 Office secretary Md Mahmudul Hossain Khan, labour and employment ministry secretary Md Sanwar Jahan Bhuiyan, ILO country director for Bangladesh Max Tunon, among others, were present at the ratification ceremony.
