State Minister for Labour and Employment M Mujibul Haque on Sunday appreciated the process of transformation the Bangladesh labour inspectorate has undergone over the past two-and-a-half years, reports UNB. “It’s now better funded, better resourced and better trained,” he said, while addressing the inaugural ceremony of an ILO training programme for 160 labour inspectors. He hoped that the training programme will build the capacity of the Department of Inspections for Factories and Establishments and help ensure better working conditions across Bangladesh. The training will take place in four batches for 40 inspectors each, at the Bangladesh Institute of Administration and Management (BIAM). All 160 inspectors will have completed the training by February 2016. Those being trained include newly recruited inspectors as well as more experienced hands. Addressing the function, ILO Country Director Srinivas Reddy said the training forms an integral part of ILO’s capacity-building activities to help Bangladesh develop a modern, transparent and credible labour-inspection system. “This comprehensive course will build upon earlier introductory training to give inspectors a deeper understanding not only of how to carry out inspections but also how to conduct themselves as competent and confident government officials,” he said. ILO is working closely with DIFE to enhance the capacity of the Bangladesh labour inspectorate. In addition to supporting training activities, ILO is also helping develop improved labour inspection procedures, a strategic inspection roadmap and more effective data management systems as well as providing motorcycles and IT equipment to help DIFE carry out its mandate.
