Source: Kazi Tahsin Agaz Apurbo

Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies, popularly known as Bils, is quite the dynamic organisation. Through out the year, Bils works towards establishing rights of workers and helping them enjoy the facilities that they deserve. This year, along with the Ministry of Labour and Employment in Bangladesh, Bils has created a modality through which construction workers will be able to enjoy facilities through an insurance policy. "Bils is an organisation which works towards the development of the rights of the workers in Bangladesh," says Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Assistant Executive Director, Bils. "We are yet to reach heights in the case of maternity issues, protection of workers in all fields, etc. This year, however, we have worked together to create an insurance scheme for construction workers through which they would be given their due, in case of accidents or deaths."

The scheme has been made only for construction workers registered with the Bangladesh Nirman Sramik League and Imarat Nirman Sramik Union Bangladesh. "While the worker pays 33 percent of the premium, the government pays the rest," exclaims Sultan. The scheme will be announced tomorrow at the Press Club, amidst Government high officials, dignitaries, worker representatives from the unions, and Bils officials. "Eventually, we will include all categories of labourers under this insurance scheme," says Sultan. "We are still working towards establishing this."  
The Bils library is also quite popular amongst students studying the rudiments of the labour law in Bangladesh and abroad, and also amongst those who portray a deep interest towards the establishment of workers rights. "Our library has books, journals, notes, magazine articles and newspaper cuttings on the on-going changes and activities taking place in the field of labour law, world wide," says Nazma Yesmin, Programme Officer, Bils. The library, however, is still waiting to be equipped with the digital journals and information, to make the place more complete. "We have students coming in all the time for research purposes. The best part about this library is that it is open for all. You don't have to be a student to do your research here! Everyone has free access to the library."

Every semester, students from Jagannath University, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka University, Chittagong University and other educational institutions work here as interns at the library. At the end of their work period, the students submit reports to their respective course faculty members. "These students come in to work as interns, mainly because of the large number of resources existing at the Bils library," explains Yersmin. "After a few months, some of them decide to stay on and apply to work with the organisation."