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Seminar held on role of Safety Committee for ensuring decent working environment at workplace as part of observing May Day 2017

Seminar on role of Safety Committee for ensuring decent working environment at workplace as part of observing May Day 2017BILS, Karmojibi Nari and OSHE Foundation, under the management of Ministry of Labour and Employment jointly organised a seminar titled “Role of Safety Committee to Ensure Decent Working Environment at Workplace” on May 2, 2017 at National Press Club aimed at observing May Day-2017.

Member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Labour and Employment as well as BILS Vice Chairperson and Karmojibi Nari Founder Shirin Akhter, MP chaired the programme, while Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment Mikail Shipar was present as Chief Guest. Inspector General (Additional Secretary) of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments Md. Shamsuzzaman Bhuiyan, Director of the Department of Labour (Additional Secretary) Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal, Bangladesh Employers Federation Labour Advisor Kazi Saifuddin Ahmed, Sramik Karmochari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) Joint Coordinator Mesbahuddin Ahmed, Jatiya Sramik League President Alhaj Sukkur Mahamood, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal President Md. Anwar Hossain, Jatiya Sramik Federation Bangladesh Acting President Quamrul Ahsan, Samajtantrik Sramik Front General Secretary Razekuzzaman Ratan, Former Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defense and National Industrial Health and Safety Council Member Brigadier General (Rtd) Abu Naim Mohammad Shahidullah, Medical Officer of National Tuberculosis Control Program Dr. Saiyedul Bashar, OHSE Foundation Chairperson Saki Rizwana, BILS Executive Director Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmmed were present among others.

Giving highest importance on security, the Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment said “Government has taken different positive initiatives along with amendment of labour law and formulation of labour rule. Emphasizing on Safety Committee formation and continuing its regular activities, he said, it is necessary to increase the number. If Safety Committee is not there then Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments will not renew the factory license, he added. Besides, he emphasized on strengthening awareness on this issue.

Director General of the Department of Factories and Establishments said, “Ensuring security of building and electricity is possible if regular supervision of concerned authorities is ensured during construction of buildings. He also said, nowadays, safety of the factories is properly ensured. He mentioned, 39 risky factories have already been closed among 3780 inspected by Accord, Alliance and NTPA. He said, 5000 Safety Kits are being developed for increasing awareness and skill of Safety Committee members which will be supplied among different stakeholders in all factories.