Employment & Labour Law

Employment and Labour law is the body of regulation that governs the relationship between employers and workers. It includes rules on hiring, wages, working hours, termination, health and safety, collective bargaining, and dispute resolution. In Bangladesh, the cornerstone of labour law is the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006 (BLA-2006), which consolidates many earlier statutes and provides a comprehensive legal framework for protecting workers' rights and regulating industrial relations. However, this Act is supplemented by Bangladesh Labour Rules, 2015, which detail how different provisions of the law should be implemented. Labour law in Bangladesh covers not only industrial or factory settings but also a broad array of 'establishments' (shops, hotels, restaurants, commercial premises, construction, etc). Moreover, in Bangladesh, labour law falls under the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE), and is also responsible for creating labour policy, setting minimum wages, regulating industrial relations, and ensuring that employment standards are met. The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) is a key enforcement body under MoLE. It has offices across the country (31 Deputy Inspector General offices) to inspect workplaces, enforce compliance with the BLA-2006, and ensure worker welfare, safety, health, and correct wage practices. DIFE inspectors have authority to examine workplaces, review documents, question employers and workers, and report violations. When there is a serious violation (for example, non-payment of wages, health and safety breaches), DIFE can initiate complaints or recommend prosecution in a Labour Court. DIFE also provides guidance, education, and training to employers and workers on how to comply with labour laws, aiming not just to punish but to prevent violations. Furthermore, under the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, labour disputes are handled through a specialized court system. Labour Courts deal with both civil labour matters—such as unpaid wages and compensation—and criminal offences under the Act. A Labour Court is normally tripartite, consisting of a chairman and two members representing workers and employers. However, in criminal matters, the Chairman may adjudicate alone. Appeals from Labour Courts lie with the Labour Appellate Tribunal, headed by a chairman who is or has been a Supreme Court judge. The Tribunal may amend awards, transfer cases, and exercise supervisory control over Labour Courts. Its decisions are generally final, except in cases involving imprisonment or substantial fines, where a further appeal to the High Court Division may be permitted.