Trade Union

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 Trade Union in General

It is formed with a view to improve

Generally trade union is an
the condition of workers in the
organization of workers.
organization and in society.

Trade Union

Trade Union is a major Actor in Trade Union bridges the relationship

modern Industrial Relation system between workers and workers and
who represents employees’. also between workers and employers.

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 Theoretical Perspectives of
Trade Union
According to Edwin B. Flippo- “Trade union is an organization of workers
formed to promote, protect and improve through collective action, the
social, economic and political interests of its members.”

Industrial Relations Ordinance, 1969 defines trade union as- “any

combination of workmen or employers formed primarily for the purpose of
regulating the relation between workmen and employers or between
workmen and workmen or between employers and employers or for
imposing restrictive conditions on the conduct of any trade or business.”

Therefore a trade union can be defined as an association of employees’ with

a common interest who represent themselves collectively to regulate their
workplace relationship with the management.

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The Recent Global
Union Trend (contd)
The union participation is decreasing rapidly since last decade:

Industrial shift – manufacturing to service

Occupational shift – labour intensive to knowledge based
Employment – students, migrants, female, minority, part-time,
casual, contract
Government policies – hostile laws and regulations
Managerial prerogative - Anti-collectivist strict managerial practice,
government’s support
Unions themselves – societal perspective, unions’ own mistakes

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 Nature of Trade Union in
Bangladesh
Trade Unions are subdivided into different parts and their internal
collision forbids them to unite and be stronger.
Trade Union in Bangladesh are highly politicized.
Trade Union in BD are structurally and financially very weak.
Most of the union leaders are self-centered, less knowledgeable and
autocratic in nature hence it impacts on the effectively of trade union.
General workers have little faith in the integrity of trade union leaders.

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 What Trade Union Deals With!!

Societal Liability- it is expected that

unions will work in a way that will
not hamper the economic and
social environment.
Unionism- it should focus on the
unity of the workers in the
particular business industry.
Workers class interest- trade
unions reflect the class of people
with a view to ensure common
interest.
Welfare Activity- Trade Union’s
focus should not only to consider
employees’ welfare but also overall
development of employment
issues.

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Trade Union Structures in
Bangladesh

Trade
Union

Industrial National
Basic Union
Federations Federations

Industrial Union- Ex-Jute , Garment, Footwear Industry etc

Craft Union- Skilled workers from different Industry
Blue Color Union- Unskilled laborers, physical workers
White Color Union- Skilled laborers, knowledge based workers
CBA Union- Collective Bargaining Agents

Mixed Union- Both blue collar & White collar job holders 7
 Bangladeshi Employee Trade
Unions
Sramik Karmachari Oykeya Parisad (SKOP) – Peak body
Workers Representation and Welfare Committee (WRWC)
Jatiya Sramik Federation Bangladesh (JSFB)
Jatiya Sramik Federation (JSF)
Jatiya Sramik League (JSL)
Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik (BJSD)
Bangladesh Sanjukta Sramik Federation (BSSF)
Bangladesh Trade Union Kendra (BTUK)
Bangladesh Labour Federation (BLF)
Bangladesh Free Trade Union Congress (BFTUC)
Bangladesh Sramik Federation (BSF)
Bangladesh Mukta Sramik Federation (BMSF)
Bangladesh Jatiya Sramik Federation (BJSF)
Bangladesh Jatiya Sramik Jote (BJSJ)

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 Employers Associations

Federation of Bangladeshi Chamber of Commerce and Industries

(FBCCI) – Peak Body
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCA)
Bangladesh Employers Federation (BEF)
Bangladesh Garments Manufacturing and Exporters Association
(BGMEA)
Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA)
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association
(BKMEA)
Bangladesh Jute Mills Association (BJMA)
Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leather goods and Footwear Exporters
Association

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 Legal Framework of Trade Union in
BD
The Constitution of Bangladesh provides the basic legal foundation
for formation of organizations by workers and employers.
The main statutory framework for such organizations is the
Bangladesh Labor Act 2006.
The Act recognizes both right of workers to join trade unions and the
right of employers to join associations
Section 176 of the Bangladesh Labor Act 2006 provides that every
worker has the right to constitute a trade union and to join an
association of their choosing.
However, the Act does not cover home workers, EPZs, public sector
workers and agricultural workers.
In order to be registered, a trade union must have a minimum
membership of 30 per cent of the total number of workers
employed in any establishment or group of establishments in which it
is formed.
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Legal Framework of Trade Union in BD
(contd)

Bangladesh Labor Act 2006 (section 195) states that it does not
explicitly authorize an employer to require that a person appointed to
managerial posts cease to be a member or officer of a trade union.
Section 183 of the Act states that a group of establishments should be
considered as one establishment for the purpose of formation of trade
union.
As a requirement of formation of trade union, the Act prescribes
election of officers by the general body of trade union provides that the
term of officer shall not exceed two years upon his election or re-
election.
Section 176(c) of the Act states that trade unions shall have the right to
establish and join federations.
Union or federation shall have the right to affiliate with international
organizations and confederations of workers’ organization.

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 Significance of Trade Union

Two is better than one.

Employer generally holds the
bargaining power.
Employers tend to exploit the
employees and workers.
Employees should have the
legitimate authority to decide
right / wrong for themselves.
Better conflict resolution by the
union people.
Being unionised and bargain
collectively is the fundamental
right of people

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 Negative Aspects of Trade
Union
Corruption of Union leaders
Affiliation with party politics
Decrease in productivity
Misuse of Rights
Increase in managerial
complexity

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 Registration of Trade Union
Requirements for Registration
Requirements for Application I. The objectives for which the union has
I. The name of the union and address been formed.
II. Date of formation II. The manner in which a worker may
III. The tittles, ages, addresses and become a member.
occupations of the office bearers III. The sources of fund.
IV. Statement of total paid membership IV. The condition under which a member
V. In case of a union of transport-total shall be entitled for any benefit or for
number of vehicles, the name and forfeiture.
addresses of the owners, the route V. The manner in which the constitution
permit number of the vehicles. shall be amended, varied or rescinded.
VI. Three copies of the constitution of VI. The manner in which the trade union
the union and a copy of the may be dissolved.
resolution by the members of the VII. The manner in which the election of
union adopting such constitution. officers by the general body of the union
and the term.

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 References

Thanks…

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