They said shortage of skilled inspectors under the labour ministry and awareness among the workers are also responsible for the situation where the rights of workers are not ensured.

The discussion on Bangladesh Labour Law 2006: Challenges in implementing occupational health rules and security was organised by Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Foundation (OSHE) at the National Press Club in the city.

The speakers demanded formation of a national council for industries to formulate a national policy and a monitoring cell to ensure all kinds of safety for workers and make a guideline for implementing the labour law.

Advocate Bikash Kumar Basak and Research Officer Nishat Sharmin in their keynote presentation proposed formation of the national council, which they said, will comprise eight government officials, including the labour minister , seven representatives of employers and seven from the workers.

The council will formulate a national policy, proper health rules, create awareness among the workers and give guidelines for implementing the policy, said Bikash.

Taking part in the discussion, Senior Research Fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) M Sayeed Ahmed said the workers fail to realise their demands because of their lack of unity, while the employers are very united in case of their interests.

The workers must continue to raise their demands which can contribute to necessary changes in labour law, he said.

Workers' leader Abdul Matin Khan lauded the Labour Law 2006, but said modification of the law is a must as the socio-economic conditions change with the change of time.

There could be a section for review of the law every four to five years, he noted.

Advocate AKM Nasim said the labour law that was enacted in October last year does not have any guideline on the criteria of the inspectors' satisfaction about the working condition of workplaces or what steps they will take if they have objections.

"Workers must be actively involved in the formulation of the national policy on their rights," he added.

Rezaul Karim Reza of Bangladesh Sangjukta Sramik Federation said the divisions among the workers' leaders have increased dangerously, as partisan leaders represent different trade unions.

He said the workers should be very careful in selecting their representatives to the proposed national council.

Kabir Ahmed Choudhury, deputy director of labour department, said if implemented, the present law, formulated in combination of many scattered labour laws, will definitely ensure the workers' rights.

"But it becomes a major problem when workers' representatives are not found in labour courts that settle the disputes of the workers," he said while speaking as chief guest at the discussion.

Workers' leaders Mohammad Shahebullah, Sheikh Nurul Haque, ZM Kamrul and Sheikh Azizur Rahman of BLAST also took part in the discussion presided over by OSHE Chairperson Saki Rezwana.