Rights of Labourers in Islam: Bangladesh Perspective

Abstract

Rights and protection of workers is very important for any organization for achieving success and desired profit and also for smooth running. As a complete code of life Islam describes the rights and duties of the workers and employers. It places substances in dealing with protection accorded to workers. Employment is regarded as worship in Islam that requires observing full dedication, sincerity and commitment from both the workers and the employers. Internationally rights of the labourers are embedded in various international documents such as “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” and in the “Conventions and Recommendations” of the International Labour Organization. All states have their own labour law and policy to protect and guide both the employers and employees. Bangladesh has its own labour law and policy to regulate its labourers and employers and organizations smoothly. The major law regarding labourers in Bangladesh is the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 that covers almost all rights and duties of Bangladeshi workers and employers. Islam is that kind of religion which always plays vital role upon Muslims in their daily affairs. In Muslim majorities countries the values of Islam keep strong influence on the laws and practices. This article examines the provisions of rights of the workers in Islam. As a Muslim majority country how far does Bangladesh incorporate or comply with the Islamic rights provisions of labourers. The main purpose of this article is to reveal the notion of workers’ rights and protection which is enjoined to them under Bangladeshi labour law that has long been accorded by the Islam. Analytical approach is taken as methodology to reach the aim of the paper.