A bill was placed in parliament today with a provision of punishment for enforcing "illegal" strikes that affect essential services.
The Essential Services Bill 2023 proposed a maximum of one year in jail and Tk 1 lakh fine for violation of the law.
Once the bill is passed by the parliament, the government will be able to declare any service essential whenever it's necessary, according to the bill.
State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian placed the bill that was sent to the parliamentary standing committee on the respective ministry for further examination.
As per the proposed bill, the management would not be allowed to lay off any factory or other establishments "illegally", affecting such services that could hit the public hard.
The essential services already included power generation and distribution-related activities, posts and telecommunications, railways, passenger and goods transportation through water, road and air.
The government can declare any service as essential for a maximum of six months.
After the declaration, enforcement of strike or shutting off and announcement of layoff in that service, would be illegal and punishable offences, the bill proposed.
State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian placed the bill which was sent to the parliamentary standing committee on the respective ministry for further examination.
The committee was asked to submit its report before the House within 30 days.
The bill was placed in Parliament integrating the Essential Services (Maintenance) Act 1952 and the Essential Services (Second) Ordinance 1958.
This law would prevail in case of any contradiction with the labour law.
