Labour Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has stated that dismissing workers in violation of the law will not be permitted and assured that the labour law will be amended before March.
He further noted that maternity leave for female workers would be extended to 120 days and that all factories must have daycare centres.
Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Labour in the secretariat on Sunday (10 November) afternoon, the adviser clarified that paying workers' arrears is not the government's responsibility.
He emphasised that if the government were to assume the burden of clearing unpaid wages, it would deplete the country's revenue.
Consequently, the authorities are taking measures to apprehend defaulting factory owners and confiscate their national identity cards and passports to prevent them from fleeing abroad.
"Unlike before, we are not resolving issues by harming workers; instead, we are assisting employers to fulfil their payment obligations," he remarked.
However, he conceded that achieving an immediate solution is a complex matter.
Referring to past experiences with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Bhuiyan mentioned that Bangladesh had faced embarrassment during previous sessions but highlighted that the country's recent stance at the ILO has been positive and commendable.
Several countries have supported Bangladesh in withdrawing the cases lodged by the ILO.
