, Nov. 25 -- Despite an estimated 1.2 crore people involved in Bangladesh's fisheries sector, with 14 lakh directly dependent on it for their livelihood, these workers are yet to receive legal recognition as laborers.

This situation has led to calls for immediate action to confirm their identity as workers and secure their fundamental right to form trade unions.

The demands were raised by speakers at a national dialogue on the legal rights and social security of fisheries workers, organized by the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) with support from the German think tank Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, held on Tuesday at The Daily Star Centre.

Speakers at the dialogue highlighted that legal protection and life-saving measures for ...