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Capacity Building of Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority

Implementing Agency:

Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority

BEPZA Complex, 19/D, Road no. 6

Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205

TERMS OF REFERENCE(TOR) FOR Social Counselors

1. Background Information:

The Government of the people’s Republic of Bangladesh is always responsive to protect the right and privilege of the workers of the enterprise operating in EPZs. Accordingly, Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), with the pulse of the DFID Grant loan (IDA credit no. 4866 BD and DFID Grant no. TF 099730) from the IDA, is appointing Social Counselors to train and motivate the workers working in the industries located in different EPZs under Capacity Building of Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority project.

2. Aim and Objective:

To implement “the EPZ Workers Welfare Association and Industrial Relations Act 2010” in its right spirit along with BEPZA Instructions No.- 1 & 2 and Compliance issues including salaries and wages, overtime, leave, provident fund contributions, fire safety, health & hygiene, sound industrial relations, decent work environment, grievance handling procedures and social dialogue process as per International Labour Standard (ILS), etc. The objectives are as foliows:

Implementation of “The EPZ Workers Welfare Association & Industrial Relations Act, 2010” phase wise

Implementation of BEPZA instruction No. 1 & 2 of 1989 Improvement of workers morale Achieving optimum productivity Minimizing workers grievances Ensuring the proper working environment in the factory premises (as per ILS) Ensuring human rights and legal rights of the workers concerned Motivating workers in learning English and computer operation Boost up the participation of Female workers in Workers Welfare Association and

Executive Committee 3. Tasks and Responsibilities of the Social Counselors:

Scope of work includes the following: a. Facilitate the implementation of “The EPZ Workers Welfare Association & Industrial Relation

Act-2010” in different phases. Prepare a plan including the time line with specific roles and responsibilities, to implement the rights and obligations of the Act.

b. Prepare a plan and facilitate implementation of BEPZA Instructions No. 1 & 2 of 1989 c. Build awareness amongst women workers and motivate them to avail the benefits of

representation of 30% of the total membership in Workers Welfare Association & the Executive committee

d. Prepare an action plan to implement activities that promotes congenial industrial relation e. Organise workshops to map out the strengths and weakness of workers and prepare and

implement a plan to enhance their commitments to their responsibility and increase productivity.

f. Prepare a grievance management system to address complaints within the given time frame, tracking and recording.

g. Prepare an action plan and facilitate implementation to achieve the goals of ILS. To ensure that rights and obligatins of workers and management are implemented that promotes health, safety, legal rights, human dignity at place of work.

h. Prepare an activity plan for skill upgradation such as spoken english and computer literacyFacilitate regular meeting between workers & management to share experinces at

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place of work. Orientation of newly appointed workers on the expectations, rights and duties.guide the newly appointed workers to designated working place and introduce them to the respective senior personsBuild awreness on the objectives, rules and regulations of the company,buyers’ code of conduct, discipline of the factory etcDisseminate information on the services at work place such as health & hygiene, cleaning including toilet washing and other utility services, medical facilities, day care centre, canteen, prayer room (Male/Female) mandatory safety instructions

i. Build awrenss about the EPZ Workers Welfare Association and Industrial Relations Act-2010 phase wise and BEPZA Instruction No. 1 & 2 of 1989

j. Provide information and educate them about Leave procedure, maternity leave and benefits, attendance time and overtime system and benefits

k. record suggestions from workers and bring to the notice of the Management l. Document the causes for workers migration, absenteeism, discipline etc. and prepare

analytical report m. Co-ordinate with personnel Department n. Provide support to sick workers to access medical facilities if the worker requests

4. Reporting Requirements

The Counselor shall be directly responsible to report to the DGM/Manager (IR/Officer in-Charge of the Zone). The Counselors shall-

o report regularly upon frequent visit to the Factory including Canteen and Kitchen o prepare weekly & monthly report & returns on various events in the prescribed form o report on the status of WWA elections and composition of Executive committee o audit or observe the buyer’s compliance & report accordingly o meet together in meetings once in a week & once in a month to review their work,

problems, future action plan & prepare report o organize meeting with the factory Management to review the problems/situations o have free access to any floor of the Management or any high official of the factory to

discuss problems, issues, grievance & any complains etc o send the copy of the ‘monthly monitoring form” duly filled-in to the Executive

Chairman of BEPZA within first week of the subsequent month

5. Qualifications & Experience:

• At least 2nd class Masters degree in any subject and or LLB/MBA from recognized University or equivalent degree preferably with diploma in HR or Industrial Management

• Two years experience in a large industrial unit/NGO/Marketing Company/Law firm/ Bank/Govt. and semi-Govt. organization

• Practical experience in Human Resources Management from any reputed Labor intensive industrial unit will be given preference

• Fluency in spoken and written both in Bangla & English is essential • Shall have sound knowledge in computer operation

6. Other terms and conditions:

Age limit: 45 Years Maximum (As on **.**.2013)

Duration of Employment: 30 months.(±) Monthly Pay (Consolidated) : 50000/= (Fifty thousand only) Including

incometax and VAT Place of work: Industries located in EPZs of Bangladesh i.e

Chittagong,Dhaka,Adamjee, Comilla,Mongla,Ishwardi,Uttara (Nilphamari) EPZs

7. General Instructions to the Social Counselors:

I. The Authority reserves the right to change any specification/ condition/guideline/TOR and such changes will be notified to the prospective Social Counselor accordingly

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II. BEPZA may without prejudice to any other remedy for breach of contract, terminate the Social Counselors for reason of unsatisfactory performance/ progress of assigned job/service etc. No compensation shall be made for such termination

III. Both parties shall endeavor to settle disputes amicably over the interpretation of the obligations under contract. However, if the same cannot be resolved, it shall be referred to arbitration according to usual Bangladeshi law. The award of arbitration shall be final

IV. If the Social Counselor engaged is found involved in activities detrimental to the interest of BEPZA, his service with BEPZA will be automatically terminated

V. The Social Counselors will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the Public Procurement Regulation-2008

8. Certification:

The detailed contained in this document is an accurate statement of the duties, responsibility and other requirement of the position as approved by the BEPZA.

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