Industrial Relations in Bangladesh

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Khan Sarfaraz Ali

Scope of industrial relations involves all the variables of industrial life which is in turn
having direct bearing on total social life. The main objective of industrial relation is to maintain
harmoniums production situation, avoiding industrial unrest for smooth productivity. The G-8
countries have high industrialization; and high industrialization was possible only on excellent
industrial relation situation. If there is no industrial relation or no relationship between employers
and worker, or among the employers, production or productivity will not come into reality.

Bangladesh is not an industrialized country nor does it have huge natural resources as yet.
People could be the only resource if they could be turned into human resources. Rapid and
sustainable industrial development is the mean for the national prosperity. Healthy industrial
relation is the only way for greater productivity, and greater productivity can create more and
more investment for industrialization. Here, industrial situation is not giving as enough hope
towards the above. Here, trade unions are not well organized, powerful, not backed by
spontaneous workers support, highly politicalized, and the members are not efficient enough to
raise voice for the workers. Many of the entrepreneurs, and employers do not believe in
industrial relation, rather they like treating workers as the most neglected component of
production, uses the bad technique of managing the leaders rather than encouraging trade union
for industrial relation.

In short, industrial relation situation in Bangladesh is not encouraging. But for the greater
interest of the nation organizations should emphasis on sound industrial relation that can
expedite national development. For a hopeful industrial revolution there is urgent need to fulfill
some prerequisites like:
a) establishing excellent relationship, mutual trust and honor between employers and workers
at highest level;
b) avoidance of industrial unrest, establishment and maintaining harmonious labor
management relationship;
c) increasing employees’ efficiency;
d) ensuring highest productivity through concerted efforts of employers and employees;
e) providing possible better wages, safe work place, good work environment, and sufficient
welfare for workers, which in term will surely increase productivity; and
f) establishing social security system and safety net for the employees.

Now a day, the employers, workers and government are thinking on industrial
development through high quality of industrial relations.

Reference: Khan Sarfaraz Ali and Dr.Nasima Khatun. A Handbook on HR Solution (2009). pp: 7-9
(ISBN: 978-984-33-0505-3). Dhaka.

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Associate Management Counselor, Bangladesh Institute of Management (BIM)
sarfarazbim@gmail.com / 01817528067