Solidarity Center Report: Bangladesh Moves to Improve Labor Laws

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)In the wake of the Rana Plaza collapse that killed more than 1,100 workers, the Bangladesh government made a step toward improving its labor laws this week. While changes to union registration are welcome, significant issues remain, says Solidarity Center Asia Regional Director Tim Ryan. “In the ready-made garment industry, workers who want to join a union report they face anti-union harassment and discrimination on the job. Until the government takes steps to afford workers their fundamental right of freedom of association by bringing its labor laws into full compliance with international standards, Bangladesh garment workers will not be able to have a voice on the job that they need to improve safety and health conditions.” Read more at the Solidarity Center. - photo: Arati Bala Das, 18, who lost her right leg in the Rana Plaza collapse, feeds her sister, Akhi, 2. Their mother died when the building pancaked in on itself. Photo by Rukshana Yasmin