National safety committee inspects 5,200 factories

A national committee set up to look into the occupational safety situation at industries across Bangladesh has so far inspected 5,200 factories, said Salman F Rahman, adviser to the prime minister on private industry and investment.

The government formed the committee, headed by Rahman, last July to monitor the safety issues at the factories that were not inspected by the Accord and the Alliance, the two inspection agencies constituted by the international buyers after the Rana Plaza collapse.

"All industries will be secured like export-oriented factories," Rahman said.

He made the comments while addressing a workshop titled "Promoting Occupational Health and Safety for Improving Productivity" at the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) yesterday.

The FBCCI and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) jointly organised the event, according to a press release from the federation.

The national committee has already inspected 5,200 factories, and the rest will also be brought under inspection, the adviser said.

Initially, many owners were reluctant to start reforms in the garment sector, but now they are enjoying the benefit of the inspection and remediation, he said.

"The garment sector is reaping the benefits of the decent working environment. Similarly, the pharmaceuticals industry has gained a worldwide reputation on the back of safe factories."

Gorge Faller, a technical adviser of the ILO, called for the successful implementation of government policies to make the garment sector safer.

"If the workplace is safe, it is beneficial for both employers and workers."

Bangladesh should work for a safe and sound workplace so that the world recognises that "Made in Bangladesh" goods represent safety, he said.

Md Ehsan-E-Elahi, secretary of the labour and employment ministry, said that safety, quality and productivity are interrelated.

"As the working environment of factories improves, so does the productivity of the workers and the quality of the goods manufactured," he said, adding that the government is working to make Bangladesh free from child labour by 2025.

Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu, senior vice-president of the FBCCI, said that having the opportunity to work safely in the workplace is one of the basic rights of workers.

"There is no substitute to creating a safe work environment to survive in the global competition."

He urged the owners, workers and all other stakeholders to come forward to ensure safety in the workplace.

The FBCCI has set up a safety council to protect workers at the workplace. The council is working on the basis of the National Occupational Safety and Health Policy, Babu added.