Worker Welfare Associations (WWAs) of EPZ enterprises are peacefully and effectively ensuring the rights of their workers, Law Minister Anisul Huq has said.
He made the remark during a visit to the Dhaka EPZ on Friday.
The law minister said the government enacted the Bangladesh EPZ Labour Act 2019 to ensure the rights and privileges of EPZ workers, and this has helped create a congenial and safe working environment at the EPZs.
The peaceful working atmosphere encourages investors to set up factories in the EPZs, he added, expressing appreciation for the contribution of EPZ workers to the development of the country.
He also lauded the role of the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) in helping the private sector flourish by attracting investment, boosting export through product diversification, and generating employment through the empowerment of women, according to a press release.
The law minister hoped that the combined efforts of workers, investors, and BEPZA would help Bangladesh become a developed country as dreamed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The Law Minister visited the Dhaka EPZ to observe the working environment and implementation of the Bangladesh EPZ Labor Act 2019.
BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman briefed the law minister on overall activities of BEPZA, including tremendous achievements in export, investment and employment, labour rights and industrial relations, workplace conditions, and teamwork.
He thanked the law minister for playing an important role in enacting a timely EPZ Labour Act and formulating the EPZ Labour Rules 2022.
The executive chairman said the investors and workers are the main driving force of BEPZA’s success and hoped the full implementation of the EPZ Labour Act and Labour Rules would further improve working conditions.
Later, the law minister visited three garment factories - British Virgin Island owned Hopyick BD Ltd, Japanese YKK (BD) Pte Ltd, and British Shanta Industries Ltd. He observed the production process, working environment and day-care centres of the factories.
He also visited the Dhaka EPZ Hospital to see the medical facilities of the workers.
Among others, Secretary, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of Ministry of Law, Justice & Parliamentary affairs Md Moinul Kabir, Member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA Ali Reza Mazid, Executive Director (Public Relations) Nazma Binte Alamgir, Executive Director (Enterprise Services) Md Khorshid Alam, Executive Director (Security) Lt Col ASM Quamruzzaman, PBGM, Executive Director (Dhaka EPZ) Md Abdus Sobhan investors and worker representatives of the Dhaka EPZ were present during this time, along with high officials of the factories .
The Dhaka EPZ was established in 1993 in Ganakbari area of Savar as the second largest EPZ in the country after Chittagong EPZ. At present, there are 90 operational industries in Dhaka EPZ with investment of $1691.93 million. This zone has so far exported goods worth $33,048 million and created employment opportunities for 78,039 Bangladeshis.