A/HRC/15/55* 5. Weak enforcement of labour standards 120. In Bangladesh, legal provisions cover the fundamental principles of rights at work. However, these principles are rarely observed or promoted, which results in extremely difficult working conditions for a large percentage of the working population. 121. The independent expert recognizes that some key challenges persist in the formal labour market. Nevertheless, there are ample opportunities to ensure that workers enjoy an adequate standard of living. These include improvements in benefits and protection at work. 122. Despite significant ongoing work in bringing the Labour Code into compliance with international standards and to ratify ILO conventions, the independent expert notes that the Labour Act of 2006 falls short on a number of issues, such as child labour and the employment of domestic workers. Similarly, the 2004 law on export processing zones is not in full compliance with ILO conventions on freedom of association and collective bargaining, which Bangladesh has ratified. VII. Conclusions and recommendations 123. The independent experts recognize the efforts made by Bangladesh and its pioneering approaches to address extreme poverty and to ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation although some challenges remain. The experts are convinced that, with political will and continued prioritization of these issues, the Government can tackle these problems successfully. In this regard, the experts recommend that the Government: (a) Ensure equal protection of all human rights — civil, cultural, economic, political and social — in the law, in their independent monitoring and in their enforcement. The experts urge the Government to ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Furthermore, economic, social and cultural rights should be explicitly included within the mandate of the National Human Rights Commission; (b) Ensure that the National Human Rights Commission, the Ombudsman and the Anti-Corruption Commission receive greater political and financial support, while still being assured of their continued independence; (c) Collect disaggregated data, with particular regard to the most vulnerable groups, to have a clear picture of who is living in urban slums. On the basis of that information, the Government should also draw up a comprehensive plan for people living in poverty in urban areas, including specific measures to ensure their access to sanitation and safe drinking water. The Government must address the situation of those who lack secure tenure, and put an end to forced evictions, which are contrary to the Government’s human rights obligations. 124. The experts call upon the international community to increase efforts to enhance international cooperation with Bangladesh, particularly considering the ongoing global financial crisis and the effects of climate change. In parallel, the Government needs to ensure that resources are utilized in a timely manner to promote the realization of human rights. 125. The independent expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation calls on the Government and other relevant actors to gather and publish information on the resources available for the 28 GE.10-15451