Padma Bridge construction involved a large number of employees, not only in on-site construction but also in construction-related professional services and the supply of materials and components. About 14000 domestic, foreign workers, engineers and consultants worked round the clock to build the bridge; Among them were 1200 domestic engineers, 2500 foreign engineers, about 7500 local workers, 2500 foreign workers and 300 local and foreign consultants. Foreign workers came from twenty countries around the world. It took approximately 2,765 days or 7 years 6 months and 27 days to complete the construction of the Padma Bridge. This flourishing achievement becomes even more impressive when one considers the relative absence of noticeable industrial disputes or complaints, either from the domestic or foreign workforce. The government of Bangladesh showed that strong trade unions, workers’ rights and social dialogue were always among their core values.
Employment in the construction industry has always been unstable and insecure. The primary challenge against the construction of the Padma Bridge was the project-based nature of the construction industry and the constant variation in labor demands and the extremely long duration of the construction project due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, around the world, we are facing increasing forms of precarious jobs. Hazardous employment is also the norm in many developing countries. But the incident was mishandled by the government with a negligible amount of complaints and even fewer bargaining power. Bangladesh has proved that unionization and worker representation can be handled through social dialogue.
Government empowers trade union law by implementing Bangladesh labor rules 2015 Creating an enabling environment with concerted action at the national and international levels. Bangladesh Labor Rules (BLR) was introduced on 2015 which has been further amended in September 2022. There was a clear delineation of issues like recruitment process, salary, other financial benefits, guidelines regarding provident fund. Although the majority of workers at Padma Bridge were contract short-term workers, the government ensured that working conditions, such as wages, working hours, annual leave, training, and health and safety measures, were at international standards for everyone throughout the country. be maintained Project.
One of the most difficult things for trade unions around the world is to ensure job security and a safe working environment for contract-based short-term workers. When I BAA Heathrow Airport Ltd. Trade Union Branch Secretary for Branch-562, I closely observed a lot of complaints as well as industrial actions in these subject areas. This is nothing new, but Bangladesh has set an example for the rest of the world by ensuring the range is an acceptable standard. The government not only amended the Labor Rules 2015 but also played a vital role in adapting to the changing economic and social conditions and impressing the stakeholders to achieve the required productivity gains.