\\\'Int’l community watching Tuba garment factory situation\\\'

The international community has been closely watching the latest situation at Tuba garment factory that has arisen over payment of outstanding wages. It has created fresh concern among the buyers.
This was observed by the Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Heather Cruden at the launching ceremony of a training workshop.
The Bangladesh Employers Federation (BEF) in collaboration with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturer and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and the International Training Centre (ITC) of the ILO organised the four-day training programme at the BEF conference room in the city.
The training programme aims at enhancing knowledge and capacity on 'Occupational Safety and Health among the Employers and Management of the Readymade Garment Factories of Bangladesh.'  
 "The situation in Tuba garment unit has created a newer concern. Canada and other international community members are watching it closely," said Ms Cruden in her speech.
She reiterated her demand to the government to finalise the implementing rules of the amended Bangladesh Labour Act.
 "I urge the government to take the primary initiative to finalise the implementing rules of the amended Bangladesh Labour Act as early as possible. The rules are essential for guiding the occupational health and safety committees in the factories," she said.
Referring to the media reports on non-payment of wages and workers' protest at Tuba garment factory, the Canadian envoy said those negative reports also tell some true stories.
But all parties involved in the RMG sector of Bangladesh need to play a role in telling some positive stories of what is actually going on in the industry. For example, the workshop of training the trainers as part of the amended Labour Act will improve the working condition of the RMG factories, she said.  
State Minister for labour and employment Mujibul Haque (Chunnu) inaugurated the 'Train the Trainers Workshop for Senior Master Trainers on the Essentials of Occupational Safety and Health' in the readymade garment (RMG) sector.
Over 25 participants from the BGMEA and the BKMEA are attending the training in the first phase.
As many as 100 master trainers will be trained who will provide training to about 7,500 mid-level managers and supervisors. The project targets to reach half a million RMG workers.  
The training includes a range of different topics such as introduction on essentials of occupational safety and health (OSH), OSH management, dangerous substances, fire and explosions etc. The training includes lectures, role plays and simulations facilitated by several trainers from ITC Turin, Italy.
The government and the ILO are implementing a three-and-a-half year long initiative aimed at improving working conditions in the readymade garment (RMG) industry in Bangladesh. The US$ $24.21 million programme is funded by Canada, Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Netherlands Ambassador to Dhaka Gerben Sjoerd De Jong said while the international community recognises the progress made over the past year in the implementation of the national action plan under the ILO programme, this is essentially true for improving the environment for labour organisations as reflected by the recent uprising at the Tuba factories.
 "Such conflicts need to be addressed more effectively and fairly by the employers' organisations like the BGMEA and the BKMEA and the government," said Mr Jong.
ILO country director in Dhaka Srinivasa B Reddy said many of the accidents in garment factories are attributable to lack of awareness and prioritisation by the immediate supervisors and mid-level managers. For that reason, this is a very critical segment that should be reached out. Referring to the amendment of the Labour Act 2006, he said it requires establishment of occupational safety and health committees in factories employing more than 50 workers.  "This particular provision has several implications in terms of empowerment of workers, mid-level managers and employers themselves," he added.
In his address, Mujibul Haque said the government formulated and adopted the national occupational safety and health policy 2013 after due consultation with stakeholders and enacted Labour (amendment) Act 2013 with stronger regulatory requirements for safety issues.
 "The government upgraded the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishment into a directorate headed by the Inspector General and created 679 new posts in its first phase, out of which 392 posts are exclusively for inspectors," he added.
Labour Secretary Mikail Shipar, Head of DFID Bangladesh Ms Sarah Cooke, BEF Vice President, Sabrina Islam,  BGMEA President Atiqul Islam, BEF Secretary-General Farooq Ahmed, ITC ILO Programme Manager Arnout de Koster were present among others at the inaugural programme.