As we face an upsurge of Covid-19 cases, and with the national lockdown being lifted, the need to prioritise effective preventive measures has never been greater. One common place where Covid-19 transmissions occur is the workplace, especially in industrial settings. Therefore, the World Day for Safety and Health at Work seems as good a day as any to recall six provisions of the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 (BLA), which can play an immense role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases like Covid-19, but the existence of which seems largely unknown or conveniently forgotten.
First, Section 51 of the BLA requires every establishment to be kept clean and free from effluvia arising from any drain, privy or any other nuisance. In particular, dirt is to be removed by sweeping the floors, workrooms, staircases, and passages of the establishment on a daily basis. In washing the floor of workrooms, disinfectants must also be used if necessary (which they certainly are at the moment).
Law Interview
There is an acute need for independent legislation in relation to data protection
Omar H. Khan is a Barrister-at-Law of Lincoln’s Inn and an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. He heads one of the top full-service corporate law chambers in Bangladesh, namely, Legal Counsel. Legal Counsel provides legal services to a large number of corporates from various sectors for over decades and is also known for its legal innovations and pro-bono services. Law Desk, The Daily Star talks to him on the following issues.
Law Desk (LD): How would you evaluate the growth of commercial laws in Bangladesh since Independence?