ASCENDENCY OF WORKERS WELFARE ASSOCIATION AT EXPORT PROCESSING ZONES IN BANGLADESH

Trade unions play an important and effective communication between the workers and the management in each factory. It protects workers interests by democratic legal systems. This exploratory research was conducted during the period of March 2016 to July 2019 to evaluate the activities of Workers Welfare Association and recommended its improvement measures. The Bangladesh labor laws were suspended for operation in EPZs, but interest of the workers were protected through Bangladesh exports processing  Zones Authority (BEPZA) Instruction I and II. The labors right in export processing Zones (EPZ) in relation to freedom of association and Collective Bargaining are covered and well maintained under the EPZ workers welfare Association and industrial Relations Act 2010. Since November 1, 2006 the workers engaged in an industrial unit situated within an EPZ are subjected to the previsions of this Act, rules and regulations, have the right to form an association relating to industrial relations for the purpose of performing functions. The Workers Welfare Association (WWA) is the Collective Bargaining Agent for the industrial units inside EPZ.  These committee members are elected by the direct vote of workers and negotiate about all the compliance issues of the workers.