Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies-BILS and Sramik Karmochari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) jointly organised a roundtable titled “ Safe Workplace, Decent Work and Proper Compensation are the Human Rights of the Workers” on December 18, 2016 at Azimur Rahman Conference Hall of Daily Star Building.
BILS Advisory Council Member Abdus Salam Khan chaired the roundtable, while BILS Executive Director Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmmed was present as Moderator. Deputy Inspector (Additional Secretary) of Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishment Syed Ahmed was present as Chief Guest.
BILS Vice Chairman Shirin Akhter,MP, Professor of Dhaka University Economics Department Dr. M.M. Akash, Director of National Human Rights Commission Israt Hossain Khan, Doctor Robiul Karim Khan Papon of Dhaka Medical College Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute, BILS Joint Secretary General Dr. Wajedul Islam Khan, Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal President Md. Anwar Hossain, SKOP Joint Coordinator Choudhury Ashiqul Alam, Samajtantrik Sramik Front Generel Secretary Razekuzzaman Ratan, TUC President Shohidullah Choudhury, BILS Secretary Rawshan Zahan Shathi, BJSF President Rafiquzzaman, JSF Executive President Kamrul Ahsan, Jatiya Sramik Jote Bangladesh General Secretary Naimul Ahsan Jewel were present in the roundtable among others.
Besides, BILS associated and SKOP affiliated National Federations and BILS leaders, Labour and Employment Ministry senior officials, National Human Rights Commission officials, Human Rights and Development Workers, Researchers, Academicians, Experts and Media Representatives also participated in the roundtable.
Speakers in the roundtable said, a safety committee is necessary with the participation of workers representatives. They also opined that there should be a particular standard of compensation. They mentioned, it is possible to decrease the number of accident by taking some preventive measures. They emphasized to make a general compensation fund by the contribution of Government, owner and workers.
BILS recently, with the support of Manusher Jonno Foundation, completed a study titled “Determined Compensation at National Level for Social Security of Workers”. Recommendations from the study were presented in the roundtable.