Ensuring RMG workers’ safety, welfare top priority: BGMEA VP

BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim has said that Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) industry is globally acclaimed for its impressive achievements, especially in ensuring workplace safety and workers’ rights and wellbeing.

He made the comment while addressing a national consultation on the wellbeing of RMG workers organised by BRAC in Dhaka on August 25.

“Workers’ safety and welfare is a top priority for the RMG industry,” Azim said.

“Over the years the industry has ensured a better and congenial atmosphere for workers through various steps including occupational safety and health (OSH), industrial relations, while steps have also been taken to tackle gender-based violence and discrimination, workers hygiene etc,” he added.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi attended the programme as chief guest. Labour and Employment Secretary Md Ehsan-E-Elahi was present as the special guest while Research Director at CPD Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem was also present at the programme.

In his speech, Shahidullah Azim said, “Currently, many garment factories are arranging awareness raising programs for their workers regarding menstrual hygiene, reproductive health, family planning, and other related matters.”

“These factories maintain healthcare centres, eye care facilities, daycare centres, fair price shops, and so on within the premises. Many of those also run schools, hospitals for the workers and their children,” he added.

Besides, a workers’ welfare fund has been created for the export-oriented industries where the garment industry is contributing millions of dollars every year, which increases in line with the growth of RMG exports, he added.

He requested the government to allocate a portion of the central fund for the purpose of health insurance for garment workers.

BGMEA is also working with the government and different organizations including UNFPA, SNV Netherland Development, Maya, Moner Bondhu, Zaynax Health, Common Health Bangladesh to implement programs for the welfare of garment workers, he further said.

He urged the government to extend its support so that such programmes sustain in the long run.