Dr Mahfuzul Huq speaks at a seminar at Cirdap auditorium in the city yesterday. On his right are Shaheen Anam and Nazma Akter and on his left are Dr Hameeda Hossain and Syed Sultanuddin.Photo: STAR

Initiate an appropriate system to monitor the implementation of labour laws to protect worker's rights, said the speakers at a seminar yesterday.
They also called for taking necessary steps to improve labour inspection system by strengthening the skill and capacity of the inspection department for factories and establishments.
The seminar titled 'Cedaw and Worker's Rights' was organised by Manusher Jonno Foundation at Cirdap auditorium in the city.
A draft alternative report was presented at the seminar ahead of the submission of a report on Cedaw Implementation Status in Bangladesh to the United Nations by the government in January 2009.
In accordance with a Cedaw article, countries that have ratified or acceded to the convention are required to submit national reports, at least every four years, on measures they took to comply with the obligations of the treaty.
The draft alternative report has been prepared by 38 NGOs, human rights and women's organisations.
Presenting the report, Kohinoor Mahmood of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (Bils) said they have identified eight sectors- agriculture, garment industries, tea plantation, shrimp processing, rice mills, bidi industry, domestic work and construction work- as most important and vulnerable sectors with the major involvement of women workers.
Speaking as special guest, Dr Hameeda Hossain alleged that the government gets busy in preparing the report only two to three months before submitting it, and complete the job by appointing consultants.
But it is not proper to prepare a report only for submitting, she said, adding, “To what extent we implement the commitments regarding Cedaw and how we evaluate the recommendations made by the UN are important.”
Dr Mahfuzul Huq, secretary (in-charge) to labour and employment ministry, said the government has done many things in the eight sectors, but many things are yet to be done.
Presiding over the seminar, Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, said, “We have to pay more attention to the improvement of the lives of the workers than preparing a report.”
Moderated by Nasir Uddin Mahmud, acting executive director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (Blast), the seminar was also addressed by Nazma Akter, executive director of Awaj Foundation.