Bangladesh to Set up a Technical Sub-Committee Focus on Workplace Safety

In its first meeting, the members of the National Tripartite Committee of Bangladesh have agreed to set up a technical sub-committee that will focus on the structural integrity of ready-made garment (RMG) manufacturing buildings and fire safety in the country.
 
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Labour, was chaired by Mikail Shipar, Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
 
It was decided at the meeting that the sub-committee will look into the practical details of how inspections will be carried out, the parameters of such inspections, and co-ordination with other assessments such as those planned by the European and US buyers and brands.
 
The sub-committee will be headed by the Ministry of Labour and will be directly monitored by the high-level Tripartite Committee. The ILO will also offer technical assistance as requested.
 
Srinivas Reddy, director of ILO Bangladesh, introduced a team of international ILO specialists who will support the Committee in developing its work.
 
The ILO team’s expertise lies in international labour standards, fundamental principles and rights at work, occupational health and safety, fundraising and partnership-building, and communications.
 
Among the issues discussed by the Committee was a proposal to merge into one document the commitments made by the tripartite partners in the NAP and those they made in the Joint Statement signed on May 4, at the end of the recent ILO high level mission. The Committee members agreed to merge both and finalise the document in a week’s time.
 
The Committee agreed to hear a report at its next meeting on the medical, vocational and economic rehabilitation of victims of the recent garment factory disasters.
 
The National Tripartite Committee was formed to implement the National Tripartite Plan of Action on Building and Fire Safety in the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) Sector in Bangladesh (NAP).
 
The Tripartite Committee brings together representatives of the Government and members of workers’ and employers’ organizations, with the International Labour Organization (ILO) playing an advisory role.
 
The aim of the Action Plan, which was formally agreed in March 2013, is to take comprehensive action to prevent any further loss of life, limb and property through workplace fires and related incidents.
 
The Action Plan plans to identify activities in three categories – legislative and policy, administrative, and practical.  The practical measures under consideration include assessing the structural integrity of all active RMG factories; developing and distributing educational tools on rights, occupational safety and health to workers and middle managers; and redeploying and rehabilitating workers affected by the recent accidents in Bangladesh RMG sector.