Can garment workers in Dhaka file a class action for unpaid overtime and safety violations?

In Bangladesh, a Representative Suit under the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 offers an alternative to a class action. A Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA) or a registered Trade Union can file on behalf of all affected workers regarding industrial disputes, including unpaid wages and safety issues, under Section 213. If there is no union, Section 210 allows a group of workers to appoint representatives to negotiate and, if necessary, take the matter to the Labour Court. To win a case for unpaid overtime and safety violations, gather a paper trail: proof of employment (appointment letters or ID cards, pay slips, attendance records); overtime records (attendance cards, logbooks); safety evidence (photos/videos of hazardous conditions, copies of prior ignored complaints); and witness statements. Step-by-step action plan: 1) Internal notice: submit a written grievance to the employer under Section 33; they have 15 days to respond. 2) Government complaint: report safety issues to the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) for possible inspection and fines. 3) Conciliation: if the employer refuses to pay, approach the Director of Labour for conciliation to settle out of court. 4) Filing the suit: if conciliation fails, the representative or union files a formal case in the Dhaka Labour Court.