Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman addressed the workshop titled Promoting Occupational Health & Safety for Improving Productivity, jointly organised by FBCCI and ILO at FBCCI as the chief guest and said that the government aims to secure all the industries like export-oriented industries which are producing goods for local market.
The FBCCI has setup a safety council to ensure the professional safety of the industry. The council is working on the basis of national OHS profile and national OHS policy, FBCCI senior vice president informed.
In his speech, Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser said that "In this connection, the national committee has already inspected 5,200 factories, and the rest of the factories will also be brought under inspection,". He added that many owners were reluctant to start reforms in the garment sector. But now this sector is getting the benefits of decent working environment. In the same way, the pharmaceutical industry of the country has also gained worldwide reputation due to its quality factories.
Gorge Faller, ILO's technical adviser, called for the successful implementation of government policies to make the sector safer. He commented that if the workplace is safe, it is beneficial for both the employer and the worker. He expects Bangladesh should work for the safe and sound workplace so that the world would recognize the "Made in Bangladesh" goods represents safety. Speaking as the special guest, Secretary for Labour and Employment Md Ehsan-E- Elahi said that safety, quality and production are interrelated in the industry. "As the working environment of the factory improves, so does the productivity of the workers and quality of the goods manufactured," he added. The secretary said that the government is working to make Bangladesh free from child labour by 2025.
