Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishment (DIFE) Inspector General Md. Shamsuzzaman Bhuiyan on Monday said that owners of RMG factories are not willing to pay for workers health insurance premiums to promote Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for garment workers.“RMG factory owners are not interested to pay for workers health insurance premiums, although development partners are trying since last three years to convince them” said Shamsuzzaman Bhuiyan while addressing a seminar on “Role of private sector to meet the SRHR needs and priority of RMG sector” at Lakeshore Hotel in the city. SNV Netherlands Development Organisation organized the seminar.Industry owner’s mindset change is very important to maintain proper hygiene in workplace said the DIFE Inspector adding that development partners may discuss the issue with factory owners or top management.While contacted with Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) vice president finance Mohammed Nasir said RMG industries owners right now are not ready to pay on this issue. “If the government wants to pay workers health insurance premiums from workers welfare fund it will be win-win situation for all,” he added.He said the factory owners already spent Tk 5 crore to Tk 25 crore to complete the remediation work and facing challenges to take fair price from the brands and buyers.The production cost also increasing day by day, BGMEA vice president added.However, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation Working with Women Project- II team leader Farhtheeba Rahat Khan informed that they have good experience to promote health in some garment industries with tripartite partnership- development partner, industry owners and workers.Netherlands Embassy in Bangladesh First Secretary- SRHR and Gender Dr. Annie Vestjens, said the private sector have no proper initiatives yet to promote Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Bangladesh.
