State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque Chunnu has asked the newly-appointed factory inspectors to be adequately knowledgable about existing labour laws so as to protect workers’ rights.
“It is your responsibility to protect the workers’ rights,” he said, while addressing the orientation of 110 newly-appointed inspectors in the city yesterday.
Speaking as chief guest, the state minister said: “Your prime task is to religiously acquire knowledge to perform your job patiently, in cooperation with the workers and owners.” Labour and Employment Secretary Mikail Shipar asked the inspectors not to hinder investment, while implementing labour laws.
“The development of an industry will depend on your performance, and you have to keep in mind that laws are not for hindering investment and creating any obstacle,’’ said Shipar.
The factory inspectors were appointed in the wake of two incidents – the Rana Plaza building collapse and Tazreen Fashion fire – and you have to work hard to avert this type of accident in the future, he said.
“In the past, we’ve seen factory inspectors with insufficient knowledge about labour laws, which left factory owners in trouble,” said Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) former First Vice President Mohammad Hatem, pointing at the roles and responsibilities of the inspectors.
Last year, the Ministry of Public Administration approved a labour ministry proposal for urgently appointing 200 more factory inspectors to fulfill the condition of the Bangladesh Action Plan set by the United States for the restoration of GSP facilities.
The inspectors had been appointed from Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) candidates, who have already passed all three tiers of the tests, but so far failed to secure any cadre posts.
On June 27, 2013, the US government suspended Bangladesh’s trade benefits under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), in view of insufficient progress by the government in affording workers internationally recognised worker rights and work place safety.
The US government also imposed 16 conditions to get GSP facilities back, including recruitment of 200 factory inspectors.
