Experts call for fair industrial relations in leather sector

Speakers at a meeting recommended five points for the development of fair industrial relations in the country’s leather industry.

Known as the second largest export earning sector, the government has a target of earning $10 billion from this sector by 2030, they said, stressing on maintaining fair industrial relations for achieving success in the sector.

Tannery Workers Union and Solidarity Centre-Bangladesh office jointly organised the industrial relations stakeholders’ meeting in the capital on Wednesday.

AKM Nasim, Country Programme Director of Solidarity Centre-Bangladesh (SC-B) office, chaired the event while Abul Kalam Azad, President of Tannery Workers Union (TWU), conducted it.

Mohammad Nazrul Islam, Programme Officer of SC-B, presented the concept paper at the meeting.

The recommendations made in the concept paper are: formulating a comprehensive strategy paper for the implementation of health and safety of workers and social compliance with the participation of employers, workers and all concerned; ensuring prompt cooperation of the Directorate of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE); establishing a permanent medical centre or hospital in the leather industrial estate.

It also include arranging accommodations for workers at leather industry estate, forming an effective factory-based safety committee and working to improve the health and safety situation of all concerned; and taking rational decisions after consulting with the workers, owners and all parties concerned regarding shutting down of leather factories in order to protect the industry and workers.