The government has decided to introduce a Green Factory Award to ensure workplace safety for the workers, safeguard the environment from pollution and maintain compliance with international standards.

On Sunday, the labour and employment ministry issued a gazette notification on the "Green Factory Award Policy" as the country looks to attain the Sustainable Development Goals, which require urgent actions to combat climate change and its impacts by regulating emissions.

The award will be presented to the entities considering the use of eco-friendly construction materials, access to sunlight, the use of solar power in the factory, accommodation, schools, markets and bus stands for the workers within acceptable distances from the factory, adequate free space on the factory premises, and the firefighting system.

Besides, the use of modern technologies will also be taken into account while picking the winners.

"Through the award, we want to encourage the factory owners to maintain compliances," said Md Rezaul Haque, an additional secretary of the labour and employment ministry.

"I hope the award will help increase the productivity of factories and ensure workplace safety for the workers."

An evaluation committee will initially submit a proposal or recommendation to the core committee of the ministry for scrutiny of the number of awards to be given in each sector.

A total of 30 awards will be given to various sectors, with the highest five awards for a single industry.

The government approved the policy at a time when the garment sector has about 34 platinum-rated Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green garment factories, certified by the US Green Building Council.

Following the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in April 2013, international communities raised concerns over the garment sector's compliance with global standards.

Local apparel producers took extraordinary initiatives to construct green factories, improve workplace safety and protect the environment from industrial pollution.

And now, with the new award, the government also wants to ensure proper use of effluent treatment plants, create positive perceptions about green factories in the country and abroad, increase the participation of workers in the development of industries, and generate new opportunities in other industries alongside the garments.

The award has been introduced to mark the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. It will be presented on the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, which is observed on April 28.

The evaluation committee will also assess a factory's safety measures, cleanliness, adequate and efficient ventilation and lighting at factories, tolerable noise and comfortable warmth, low carbon emissions, registered doctors and nurses for the workers and best electrical fittings in addition to state-of-the-art equipment to avoid accidents.

For environmental compliances, the committee will look into the factory's approval from concerned authorities, waste management, ETP management, dust, smoke or pollution management, the quality of drinking water, toilets, laundry and laundry facilities, chemical and other risk management to protect workers, and energy efficiency.

The eligible factory will have to have trade unions, preserve accident register, provide compensation, form safety committee, deposit dividends to the worker's welfare foundation, empower women, engage in corporate social responsibility activities for employees, and ensure maternity benefits, daycare centres and breastfeeding facilities.

All the activities of an industry from January to December will be taken into consideration. The process to provide the award will be completed between December and April.

The short-listed factories will be inspected by a team comprising the concerned officers from the office of the inspector general of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments.

The investigation team will provide the evaluation committee with the correct documents, photographs and video images and evidence for the final selection.

All registered and updated factories under the department will be considered for the award.

The final assessment will be based on 100 marks. Factories with a minimum score of 70 will be recommended by the evaluation committee for the award.

The award-recipient will get a medal, certification, crest and Tk 1 lakh.