Forced Labour, Harrassment and Discrimination

Information Sheet for Trainer: Module 3.5: Forced Labour, Harrassment and Discrimination

1.      Introduction

Forced labour is any work which people are forced to do against their will under the threat. A person in a forced labour situation is determined by the nature of the relationship between a person and an ‘employer’ and not by the type of work performed. And workplace based harassment is the threatening behaviour directed at an individual or a group.  While any distinction, exclusion or preference made on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin, which has the effect of nullifying or impairing equality of opportunity or treatment in employment or occupation are regarded as discriminations.

2. Forced Labour, Harassment and Discrimination

2.1 Forced Labour

·         Forced labour refers to all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself/herself voluntarily.

·         Forced labour must be abolished to respect basic human rights and to create respect, active working atmosphere, and stop worries and pressures.

·         Work shall not be conducted under the threat of any penalty or sanctions.

·         Employer must not enforce working at night without taking consent of female workers.

2.2 Harassment

·         Harassment, in general terms is unwanted conduct affecting the dignity of men and women in the workplace. Harassment may be related to age, sex, race, disability, religion, nationality or any personal characteristic of the individual, and may be persistent or an isolated incident.

·         Supervisors must not abuse workers verbally or physically for working mistakes.

·         All forms of harassment in the workplace is prohibited.

·         Sexual harassment is any unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature committed upon one person by another. Sexual harassment may be verbal, visual, written, or physical.

2.3 Discrimination

·         Discrimination means treating one particular group of people less favourably than another because of a particular characteristic.

·         Discrimination in the payment of wages is prohibited. This means that employees who do the same work, have the same professional skill and seniority should be paid the same amount.

·         Discrimination in workplace must be eradicated to protect basic human rights and dignity.

·         Within legal limits, all employees with similar skills must be given the same opportunity to work overtime.

·         Work of equal value has to be remunerated without discrimination based on personal characteristics of the employee.

Reference: Bangladesh Labour Act 2006