Draft of Local Government Law 2023 approved
Staff Reporter :
The draft of ‘local government’ (Union Parishad-UP) (Amendment) law-2023 has been approved in cabinet meeting where it was said that according to new law it will be possible to appointment administrator in expired UP like municipalities and zilla Parishad.
The cabinet meeting also approved ‘local government’ (City Corporation) (Amendment) law-2023 saying that city corporation polls should have organize before three months not six months of end tenure.
The Cabinet has also given its final approval to the Bangladesh Labour Act (Amendment) 2023 with an extension of maternity leave for workers.
The cabinet meeting was held in Prime Minister (PM) office chaired by PM on Monday.
After the meeting the cabinet secretary MdMahbubHossain has informed to the journalists.
Currently, when any ward councillar post become vacant then adjacent ward councillar’s gives power to continue official activities.
Cabinet secretary said according to draft law the reserved ward women councillar will perform in vacant ward.
He further said new draft law fixed the Union Parishad secretary post to Union Parishad administrative officer.
“Several modifications were made to the Bangladesh Labour Act (Amendment) 2023 to safeguard the welfare of workers and align with International Labor Organization (ILO) standards,” MahbubHossain added.
The Bangladesh Labour Act of 2006 stipulated a maternity leave of 16 weeks or 112 days, with workers required to divide the leave equally before and after childbirth.
In the amendment, maternity leave has been extended by an additional eight days to 120, allowing workers to take the entire leave either before or after childbirth, said MahbubHossain.
Furthermore, the government has introduced significant changes regarding trade unions.
Factories employing over 3,000 workers can now establish a trade union with the endorsement of 15% of the workers. However, in establishments with up to 3,000 workers, a minimum of 20% of the workforce must join the trade union as before.
In cases of group of companies, a trade union can be formed with the participation of 20% of the workers, as opposed to the previous requirement of 30% stated in the Labor Act of 2006.
The amendment also incorporates a new provision for expediting the disposal of workers’ cases, as noted by the Cabinet Division Secretary.
He further explained that there are currently 13 labor courts in the country run by district-level judges.
While under the Labour Act of 2006, parties dissatisfied with a Labor Court’s judgment could appeal to the Labor Appellate Tribunal, which comprised retired judges, it was observed that some were hesitant to accept the tribunal’s verdict.
Now, any party unsatisfied with the tribunal’s decision can appeal to the Appellate Division, streamlining the process.
The amendment also explicitly states that workers shall face no discrimination based on caste, creed, or caste.
The law also mandates the provision of a conducive work environment and training institutes.
Cabinet Secretary additionally mentioned that the Prime Minister has directed the formulation of laws pertaining to the construction of deep-sea ports.
