Strict execution of laws in ship breaking industry stressed
Sunday, 6 July 2008
CHITTAGONG, July 5 (BSS): Speakers at a seminar strongly advocated for formulation of a comprehensive policy and its strict execution besides undertaking measures for the ship breaking industry to check human casualty and lessen the environment pollution in the country.
The speakers said this at the seminar on "Human Cost and Environment Pollution Due to Unregulated Ship Breaking Industry: An Immediate Solution" jointly organised by English daily 'The Independent' and YPSA, a voluntary organisation, at the Chittagong Press Club auditorium in the port city Saturday.
Former adviser and Editor of The Independent Mahbubul Alam was present as the chief guest while Professor Emeritus Jamal Nazrul Islam and Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Mohammad Ashraf Shamim were special guests on the occasion.
Also present in the seminar were Shafiq Haider Chowdhury, Maruf Hossain and Nasrullah Bahadur of Chittagong University, Divisional Director of the Department of Environment Nazmul Haq, Joint Director of the Department of Labour Abdul Khaleque, Advocate Iftekhar Saimul Chowdhury, Trade Union leaders AM Nazimuddin and Comrade Tapan Dutta, journalists Abu Sufian, Mohammed Shah Nowaz and Nazimuddin Shyamol and ship breaking yard worker Suruj Miah.
Chittagong Bureau Chief of The Independent Nurul Amin moderated the seminar, while the executive of YPSA Mohammad Ali Shaheen presented a keynote paper on the background and present condition of the sector.
They said the ship breaking industry has been contributing significantly towards the national economy, but its negative impact on marine environment and resources as well as human casualty are more grievous.
The speakers stressed the need for updating the existing laws and proper compliance of the local and international regulations to restore discipline in this vital sector through upholding the workers' rights and using modern technologies in ship dismantling.
They said the local officials must carry out a thorough physical inspection of any ship before it enters the Bangladesh water territory for dismantling.
This kind of inspection would help identify materials, detrimental to human health and environment.
Besides, they called for cleaning the ships and freeing them from the toxic gases before declaring such vessels for scrapping.
The speakers said this at the seminar on "Human Cost and Environment Pollution Due to Unregulated Ship Breaking Industry: An Immediate Solution" jointly organised by English daily 'The Independent' and YPSA, a voluntary organisation, at the Chittagong Press Club auditorium in the port city Saturday.
Former adviser and Editor of The Independent Mahbubul Alam was present as the chief guest while Professor Emeritus Jamal Nazrul Islam and Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Mohammad Ashraf Shamim were special guests on the occasion.
Also present in the seminar were Shafiq Haider Chowdhury, Maruf Hossain and Nasrullah Bahadur of Chittagong University, Divisional Director of the Department of Environment Nazmul Haq, Joint Director of the Department of Labour Abdul Khaleque, Advocate Iftekhar Saimul Chowdhury, Trade Union leaders AM Nazimuddin and Comrade Tapan Dutta, journalists Abu Sufian, Mohammed Shah Nowaz and Nazimuddin Shyamol and ship breaking yard worker Suruj Miah.
Chittagong Bureau Chief of The Independent Nurul Amin moderated the seminar, while the executive of YPSA Mohammad Ali Shaheen presented a keynote paper on the background and present condition of the sector.
They said the ship breaking industry has been contributing significantly towards the national economy, but its negative impact on marine environment and resources as well as human casualty are more grievous.
The speakers stressed the need for updating the existing laws and proper compliance of the local and international regulations to restore discipline in this vital sector through upholding the workers' rights and using modern technologies in ship dismantling.
They said the local officials must carry out a thorough physical inspection of any ship before it enters the Bangladesh water territory for dismantling.
This kind of inspection would help identify materials, detrimental to human health and environment.
Besides, they called for cleaning the ships and freeing them from the toxic gases before declaring such vessels for scrapping.