A three-day training course on “International Labour Standards and Labour Legislation” for the judges and judicial officers in Bangladesh

The training programme organised by International Labour Organization (ILO) together with the Judicial Administration Training Institute (JATI) on 25 April 2017 in Dhaka to equip judges and judicial officers with better knowledge of international labour law.

Srinivas Reddy, Country Director, ILO Bangladesh; Justice Khondker Musa Khaled, Director General, JATI; Anisul Huq, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; Md. Mujibul Haque, Honourable State Minister, Ministry of Labour and Employment; Mr. Abu Saleh Sk. Md. Zahirul Haque, Secretary, Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; Ms. Sidsel Bleken, Ambassador, Royal Norwegian Embassy

A three-day training course on “International Labour Standards and Labour Legislation” was launched in Dhaka 25 April 2017 to equip judges and judicial officers with better knowledge of international labour law.  

In all, 30 judges and judicial officials are attending the training programme organised by International Labour Organization (ILO) together with the Judicial Administration Training Institute (JATI). 

Speaking at the inauguration of the course Mr. Anisul Huq, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs said that he hoped the training on international labour standards would help judges to deliver judgements in labour disputes in a more methodical way.  He also stated that two labour courts would be relocated from Dhaka to Tongi and Narayanganj, major industrial areas with high concentrations of garment factories. He added that the process would also be initiated to set up two new labour courts in Sylhet and Rangpur where they can serve the Northeast and Northwest regions of the country. 

The training sets out to enhance the capacity of judges and lawyers to make appropriate use of International Labour Standards (ILS) in the national context. ILS are legal instruments that outline basic principles and rights at work. These are also important tools for the development of national legislation and strengthening of domestic case laws on labour matters.  

Mr. Md. Mujibul Haque, Honourable State Minister, Ministry of Labour and Employment, highlighted the importance of the training.  

“The Government is committed to ensuring that labour rights in Bangladesh are fully respected.  The judiciary has a vital role to play in this regard and this training will support them to carry out their duties,” he said. 

The course will help judges and lawyers determine when and how they can use international labour law within Bangladesh. It will also help judges to understand the relevance of the analysis and pronouncements of the ILO’s supervisory bodies and how they can be used. 

Also speaking at the event Norwegian Ambassador Sidsel Bleken stressed how the work of the judges benefits all workers. “With increased knowledge through this training course, I hope that you will all play a key role in identifying, sharing and disseminating best practices to uphold rights and create an inclusive society.”  

Meanwhile, Mr Srinivas Reddy, Country Director of ILO Bangladesh added, “ILS help to build a harmonious system of labour relations and this training will be valuable for judges and lawyers seeking to settle labour disputes.” 

The course was designed by the ILO’s International Training Centre in Turin. It was carried out by the Honourable Robyn Layton QC, a former Australian Supreme Court Judge who has also served as chair of ILO’s Committee of Experts on Application of Conventions and Recommendation, Professor Ramapriya Gopalakrishnan, a Madras High Court Advocate; and Ms Maura Miraglio of the International Training Centre. 

The training programme is the second of a series of training for law professionals on labour matters. An event held from 21 to 23 April in Dhaka brought together 30 lawyers from the Labour and Supreme Courts to also gain an understanding of ILS and their application to their work. The training of judges will take place from 25 to 27 April 2017 at JATI Conference Hall in Dhaka.  

The training programmes were supported by the ILO’s Fundamental Rights and Labour Relations project funded by the Government of Norway, and the Social Dialogue and Harmonious Industrial Relations Project supported by the Governments of Sweden and Denmark. 

Taking part in the opening ceremony are Mr. Anisul Huq, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; Mr. Md. Mujibul Haque, Honourable State Minister, Ministry of Labour and Employment; Mr. Abu Saleh Sk. Md. Zahirul Haque, Secretary, Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; Mr. Justice Khondker Musa Khaled, Director General, JATI; Ms. Sidsel Bleken, Ambassador, Royal Norwegian Embassy; and Mr. Srinivas B Reddy, Country Director, ILO Bangladesh.

 For more information please contact Steve Needham Tel 01787 680995 or at email needham@ilo.org or

Onchita Shadman on 09678777456, shadman@ilo.org