Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh Merete Lundemo yesterday urged the companies in Bangladesh to establish labour rights in the factories to enhance business prospect.
“All companies need to be well familiar with the national law and international standards to establish labour rights that would eventually result in enhanced business prospect,” she told a function in Dhaka.
Speaking at the launching ceremony of a new project and starting of a two-day training programme, the envoy urged the managers to play a critical role for effectively implementing the labour law.
The one-year project titled “Promoting Fundamental Rights at Work and Labour Relations in Export-Oriented Industries in Bangladesh” is being implemented in the Ready-Made Garment (RMG), shrimp processing, shoe and leather industries, with $2.5m from the Royal Norwegian government.
The project goals included training up 4,000 workers and enhancing the capacity of respective government agencies, said a press release.
“Workers and employers should consider themselves as mutual friends. Your joint efforts can contribute to effective implementation of law,” said Khondaker Mostan Hossain, joint secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The training programme is being attended by 64 mid-level managers, human resource managers and compliance officers from affiliated factories of the Leather goods & Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB).
“Diversity and pro-active compliance, especially with the national law, will boost the leather sector in Bangladesh given its value and contribution to the national economy,” said Syed Nasim Manzur, president of the association.
He said the sector’s contribution to foreign exchange is now US$1bn, which can be doubled in next 10 years. The major importers of shoes (the USA and European countries) want to diversify their import-sources, he added.
