The announcement was made at the launch of a third phase of Essentials of Occupational Safety and Health (EOSH) designed by the International Labour Organisation’s International Training Centre in Turin. The training for workers covers seven priority areas for the RMG sector namely fire safety, electrical safety, trips, slips, falls and good housekeeping, dangerous substances, ergonomics, personal protective equipment and first aid. State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque Chunnu inaugurated the third phase of EOSH in the capital yesterday. The initiative incorporates a core group of 114 master trainers from BEF, BGMEA, BKMEA and RMG factories that aims to train 8,038 RMG managers and supervisors in occupational safety and health. In the latest phase, this group will build awareness of key OSH issues amongst 8,00,000 workers in 585 factories by June 2017, according to the project organiser. “Safety in the workplace is a major priority of the government of Bangladesh. This training will contribute greatly to that goal as both workers and employers will benefit from improved safety practices,” Mujibul said. In his speech, ILO Country Director Srinivas Reddy said it has been a considerable effort and success to train over 8,000 mid-level managers and supervisors in a number of priority OSH areas in 585 factories. This third phase as it seeks to cascade this knowledge to some 8,00,000 workers will make a major contribution to safety in the sector, added Reddy. Talking on the recent Tampaco Foils fire, he said there is no room for complacency. “Strengthening the capacity of regulatory oversight bodies is key as is the need to bring together diverse stakeholders to establish a stronger culture of preventative safety in all industrial sectors.” “Workers safety matters greatly for Canadian, and Canada is committed to ensuing safety and working on identifying potential hazards,” Canadian High Commission to Bangladesh Benoit-Pierre Larmee said. “Our government has provided $8 million for workers safety improvement.” Golam Mainuddin vice-president, Bangladesh Employers’ Federation said: “A safe work environment is a priority issue for the Bangladesh Employers’ Federation.” All parties should work together to implement occupational safety and health measures at the workplace in accordance with the related laws and provisions of the country, he noted. BGMEA president Siddiqur Rahman, BKMEA second vice-president Mansoor Ahmed, and Abdul Mukit Khan, representing the National Coordination Committee for Worker’s Education, were present at the programme.
