Bangladesh
and the Free Trade Zones
…and unions
Freedom of association and the right to organise and collective
bargaining are established in Sri Lanka, but illegal in the Zones
of Bangladesh. The outcome though in both countries is roughly the
same since the laws are not implemented and the government authority
in charge does not act upon this violation. Unions are prevented
from forming and representing their members in most export orientated
factories, especially those controlled by foreign investors. A wide
range of tactics are used to either prevent unions from being formed,
or if they are formed to ensure that they are ineffective and do
not upset investors. For example thugs are used to break strikes
and/or intimidate union leaders.
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