Occupational safety for tannery workers imperative for optimum output
23 November 2022
Staff Reporter :
Tannery Workers Union and Solidarity Center-Bangladesh underscored the need for occupational safety of the tannery workers and convenient environment for optimum output in this sector.
The bodies also placed its 10-point recommendations before the government and the stakeholders to consider and implement these for the safety and security of the workers.
The demands were tabled on Sunday during an advocacy meeting of the organisations in a city hotel .
President of Tannery Workers Union Abul Kalam Azad presided over the meeting, while program officer of Solidarity Center-Bangladesh Mohammad Nazrul Islam delivered the keynote speech.
The 10-point includes quick and effective steps for the implementation of all labor laws in tanneries; forming safety committees and strengthening activities to improve the occupational safety and security of workers and strengthening inspection activities; establishing a 50-bed hospital in tannery industrial estate; ensuring full implementation of maternity welfare benefits; ensuring social compliance and developing eco-friendly and modern tannery industrial estate by fully implementing common effluent treatment plant (CETP) and graduating towards leather working group (LWG) certification; implementing minimum wage structure announced by the government in every factory; checking the dismissal of skilled and experienced workers; stopping employment through illegal contractors; restoring tannery sector to the continuity of the formal working sectors; and checking interference with the freedom to join trade unions.
General Secretary of Bangladesh Trade Union Center Dr. Wajedul Islam Khan said, "Consistency and coordination of work are more important for the welfare of the workers. But in many cases, it is not found. It should be addressed." AKM Nasim, country program director of the Solidarity Center-Bangladesh office, said, "Our work is aimed at realising the demands and ensuring the rights of the workers. It is necessary to form alliances for that."
He also talked about for a coalition to bring changes in this sector for the welfare of the tannery workers.
