FE Report
Lauding the progress so far made in the country's readymade garment (RMG) sector in ensuring safety, participants at a programme on Saturday stressed continuation of the same for sustainable growth of the industry.
The programme was held at the Krishibid Institute in the city in observance of National Day on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH).
A total of 10 garment factories have been awarded for maintaining high safety and health standards for workers in their units.
The factories are: Wisdom Attires, Fakir Fashion, Knit Concern, Hop Lun Apparels, Square Fashions, Snowtex Outwear, Ecotex, Tarashima Apparels, Viyellatex and AKH Eco Apparels.
State Minister for Labour Md Mujibul Haque handed over the 'Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Good Practice Award' to the representatives of the factories.
Labour Secretary Afroza Khan, inspector general of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments Shamsuzzaman Bhuiyan, president of Bangladesh Employers Federation Kamran T Rahman, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association Md Siddiqur Rahman, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association Salim Osman, high commissioner of Canada in Bangladesh Benoit Préfontaine and officer-in-charge of ILO Bangladesh Gagan Rajbhandari, among others, were present.
Applauding all the stakeholders including government, employers and workers' organisations, Accord and Alliance for their proactive approach to building a culture of workplace safety in Bangladesh, Mr Rajbhandari said, "This year marks the third time the OSH Day is being celebrated in Bangladesh. It is heartening to see more organisations involved and a wide range of activities taking place around the country. I sincerely hope that this momentum continues. "
Remembering the dead and injured workers of the Rana Plaza building collapse, Canadian high commissioner Benoit Préfontaine said, "We also recognise the considerable efforts which have been made to enhance occupational safety in Bangladesh."
Just after the Rana plaza building collapse, Canada, the UK and the Netherlands decided to support Bangladesh in improving occupational safety in the RMG sector and provide support to ILO for adopting a project in collaboration with the Bangladesh government.
"Many factories in Savar and Gazipur produce products and supply to Canada, the UK and the Netherlands and our customers are always aware about the workers' rights in the factories from where they are sourcing," he said. "That's why we extended our support in an aim to ensure secured and dignified workplace for the RMG workers in Bangladesh."
Stressing workplace safety not only in the RMG sector but also in all industrial units, the minister said "Workplace safety can be possible by creating awareness of all stakeholders including owners, management and workers."
Speaking at the ceremony, apparel sector leaders lauded the dedication of OSH award winners to workers' well-being.
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