Established to provide healthcare, family planning, maternal and child health services, and awareness training for workers, the Tongi Labour Welfare Centre in Gazipur has fallen into a state of neglect, raising concerns over the misuse of government resources and deteriorating public services.
Located at the entrance to Kamarpara Road along the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, the facility under the Department of Labour was once regarded as a trusted centre for worker welfare in one of the country's largest industrial hubs. Today, however, much of the complex lies dilapidated, underutilised and virtually abandoned.
A recent visit to the site found cracked walls, peeling plaster, broken windows and overgrown vegetation surrounding several buildings. The neglected environment has made parts of the premises unsafe and unattractive.
Local residents alleged that while limited official activities continue during the day, the atmosphere changes after dark. According to them, abandoned sections of the facility have become gathering spots for suspicious individuals, with allegations of drug use, gambling and other anti-social activities. They claim that despite repeated complaints, no effective measures have been taken to address the situation.
The centre was established to provide healthcare and social welfare services to industrial workers, including medical treatment, maternal healthcare, family planning support, child health services and awareness programmes. Officials say these services are still being provided, alongside regular health campaigns and the distribution of iron supplements to pregnant women.
The institution also conducts training programmes for workers in industrial establishments across the region. Each year, eight to ten five-day training sessions are organised on workplace safety, health awareness, family planning, maternal care and social welfare issues. However, officials admit that ageing infrastructure and a lack of renovation have prevented the centre from operating at its full potential.
Due to the poor condition of the facility, officials are currently carrying out many of their activities from rented premises on Olympia Road in Tongi.
The centre currently has 11 employees, including Population and Family Welfare Officer Asma Akhter and Senior Medical Officer Dr Ferdous Akhter, against an approved workforce of 13. Officials say the existing manpower is inadequate to meet the needs of the area's vast industrial workforce.
Spread across approximately three bighas of land, the facility suffers from weak security arrangements. Residents say the absence of adequate security personnel has left government property vulnerable to damage, encroachment and misuse. The presence of unidentified individuals around abandoned structures at night has further heightened security concerns among locals.
Community members have urged the government to renovate and repurpose the unused buildings as modern training centres, digital healthcare units, worker support centres or multi-purpose welfare facilities. They also called for improved security through the installation of CCTV cameras, repair of boundary walls and the rehabilitation of abandoned structures.
Senior Medical Officer Dr Ferdous Akhter said the authorities have repeatedly sought funds from higher authorities, including the ministry, for renovation and infrastructure development.
"We have sent several letters seeking allocations for renovation, security improvements and service enhancement. If the necessary funding is approved, we will be able to provide more modern and effective services for workers," she said.
Additional Director General (Senior Joint Secretary) of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Saha Abdul Tarek, said that the process of infrastructural development and renovation of the Tongi Labour Welfare Centre is currently underway at the ministry level. Relevant proposals and technical aspects are being reviewed, and necessary steps will be taken in accordance with government rules and regulations. He added that the modernization of the institution for workers’ welfare is being given serious consideration.