Call to frame policy for construction workers

Speakers at a national consultation have stressed the need for policy for the country's construction sector workers to protect their interests.
They also recommended formalising and institutionalising the labour recruitment process through issuance of letters of appointment and identity cards.
They made their suggestions on Thursday at the national consultation on 'Recruitment of Construction Workers' jointly organised by Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) and Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) at the city's National Press Club.
Additional secretary of the ministry of expatriates' welfare and overseas employment Hazrat Ali, deputy secretary of the ministry of labour and employment Aminul Islam, secretary of BILS Abul Kalam Azad, director (admin and finance) of the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) Mokabbir Hossain and chairman of WARBE Development Foundation Syed Saiful Haque, among others, were present at the seminar.
Executive director of RMMRU Dr C R Abrar said construction workers usually do not get compensation from their employers. There is lack of implementation of labour law for protecting their interests.   
Rowshan Jahan Shathi, former parliament member and secretary of BILS, said it is necessary to ensure specific work hours, wages, working environment for the construction workers.
Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) member Akhil Akhter Chowdhury emphasised introducing identity cards for the construction workers.
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