State Minister for Labour and Employment M Mujibul Huq on Tuesday said the garment workers will get up to Taka 5 lakh as compensation for workplace accidents from the current month of January.”If any worker dies from a workplace accident, his or her family members will get Taka 5 crore from the central fund,” he said speaking as the chief guest at the second general meeting of the alumni of Germany based development agency GIZ at CIRDAP auditorium in the city. Presided over by former Joint Secretary Anisul Awal, the function was also addressed by Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) leader Mohammad Hatem and labour leader Razekuzzaman. Maj (Retd) M. Matin conducted the function. The state minister said a worker will get the highest amount of Taka 2 lakh in case of injuries and Taka 1 lakh for treatment of any serious disease.He said the garment workers are no more helpless as a central fund has been formed for them following the sincere efforts of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and cooperation of business leaders. Besides, Taka 201 crore has been deposited to the government’s Sramik Kalyan Fund, he said, adding that all workers would be given financial assistance from this fund. The state minister said the government has decided to set up hospitals and form provident fund for workers. One hundred and one Bangladeshi members who got training on social security in workplace in Germany, South Korea, Cambodia and Malaysia took part in the meeting.
