Dhaka: An online registration system for trade unions and trade union federations has officially been launched by the Department of Labour with support from the International Labour Organisation.

Workers wishing to register new unions are now being encouraged to apply online, according to an ILO media release.

The system is currently hosted on the website of the Department of Inspections for Factories and Establishments at http://dife.gov.bd/tradeunion/ , although it will be switched over to the DoL website www.dol.gov.bd in the near future.

Paper-based submissions will also still be accepted in order to maximise the ability of worker groups to make applications.

ILO country director Srinivas Reddy said, ‘Since 2013 there has been significant growth in the number of enterprise level trade unions established in Bangladesh, especially in the ready-made garment sector.

‘The online system should bring more transparency and accountability into processing trade union registrations. Over time, it should evolve into a vital tool that will help enhance labour rights across all industrial sectors.’

The online trade union registration system is being developed to gradually include information on registered trade unions and trade union federations, complaints and actions taken in regard to unfair labour practices as well as educational and welfare activities for workers.

The system was established with technical support from the ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in Bangladesh (FPRW) project funded by the US Department of Labour.

Follow-up activities including orientation and training for government officials and workers representatives on how to use the system will be carried out by the FPRW project as well as the ILO’s Fundamental Rights and Labour Relations project funded by Norway.