Safety at the workplace is a fundamental right of every worker. Ensuring occupational safety in factories and establishments is the responsibility of the government and factory owners as well.
So, ensuring a decent working environment is crucial for sustainable development. The Bangladesh Labour Act and Bangladesh Labour Regulations mandate that workplaces be safe and dignified for workers, and this requirement is now recognised internationally.
But, there are still many risky factories and industries in the country, causing accidental death of workers frequently. Therefore, many workers meet the tragic end of their lives at their workplaces due to accidents.
A total of 1432 workers died in workplace accidents while 502 others were injured across Bangladesh in 2023, a new report conducted by Bangladesh Occupational Safety Health and Environment says on Friday.
A total of 1432 workers
died in workplace accidents
while 502 others were injured
across Bangladesh in 2023
Although the owners of the factories and industries assured of improving the working conditions, they have not established safety at all factories and industries yet. Therefore, all will have to come forward for ensuring welfare of the working class people through establishing their safety, rights and dignity including hygienic working environment.
We hope both the government and owners will put in their best efforts to ensure safety at the workplace. So, the owners of mills and factories and other organisations will have to come forward to serve the workers’ interest and establish the rights of the underprivileged people.
Simultaneously, the government will also force the owners to ensure safety and restore the work friendly environment in factories.
Health service and safety at workplace are the legal rights of a labourer and there is no alternative to ensuring safe and pleasant work environment in implementing the rights. As the government has amended the labour law to ensure more workers' rights in the factories, we believe it will help establish the order in the industrial sector.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had fought for the rights of workers throughout his life. As Bangladesh moves towards becoming a developed country, occupational safety should be given great importance.