Advocate Muazzam Hossain Helal, central advisor of Bangladesh Workers Welfare Federation, said that the government has enacted labor laws to ensure the rights of workers. But the labor law does not ensure the desired rights of the workers. Labor laws should be amended immediately to ensure workers’ rights.
He said these things in his speech as the chief guest at a day-long workshop organized by the Federation’s Barisal region on Sunday.
Under the chairmanship of regional director Kabir Ahmed and moderated by regional assistant director Mashiur Rahman, the special guest was Professor Harunur Rashid Khan, vice president of the federation.
Barisal Metropolitan President Master Mizanur Rahman, Barisal District President Advocate Zahir Uddin Yamin, Bhola District President Ismail Hossain Monir, Pirojpur District President Siddikul Islam, Barguna District President Abdul Quddus and Barisal Metropolitan General Secretary Zafar Iqbal were also present.
Advocate Muazzam Hossain Helal said that those who work in the labor field should have a detailed understanding of labor laws. Employers regularly have to negotiate for workers’ rights. Knowing labor laws will make negotiations easier. As the workers do not know the different sections and sub-sections of the labor law, the employers take away the rights of the workers with paper and pen. In order to end this trend, we have to participate in the training workshops organized by various national and international organizations including labor welfare.
He said, workers are the majority of manpower in this country. Just as the wheels of the country’s economy are in motion by their efforts, the state power of the country is determined by their votes. A class of people have repeatedly seized the power of the state by simply misunderstanding these people. In the recent past, we have seen that those who get power through the votes of the workers, forget about the rights of the workers. The contribution of the working class is forgotten. In the coming days, the workers should be invited to the truth so that they are not misled. The platform of truth and beauty must be gathered under the flag of Islam.
Professor Harunur Rashid Khan said, Islam has confirmed the human dignity of workers. Islam has confirmed human dignity based on actions. Not on the basis of wealth. History testifies that the Prophet (peace be upon him) loved the workers the most. He kissed the worker’s injured hand. He hugged the worker to his chest. Strict orders are given to pay the wages of the laborers before their sweat is wiped off. Today those who want to establish workers’ rights. Those who want to establish the equality and human dignity of workers should learn from the life of the Prophet.
He said that the establishment of workers’ rights through socialism has not been possible anywhere in the world. No more. The rules made by one man cannot be for the welfare of another man. This is as clear as daylight today. Nevertheless, some people gravitate toward the abortive ideology of workers’ socialism. We call the workers to Islam as the only ideological path. We firmly believe that true emancipation of the worker is impossible without Islam.