Law Minister Anisul Huq has said health care and safety at the workplace is a fundamental right of every worker.
He highlighted the importance of a safe and decent working environment for the realisation of this right while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion on “National Occupational Health and Safety Day” organised by the Ministry of Labor and Employment in Dhaka on Friday.
This year's theme for the day was “Ensure a decent working environment, build a smart Bangladesh.”
He stressed that the observance of safety rules at workplaces and ensuring a decent working environment is crucial for sustainable development.
He emphasised that ensuring occupational safety in factories and establishments is not solely the responsibility of the government or factory owners. Instead, it has become a liability for the factory owners.
The Bangladesh Labor Act and Bangladesh Labor Regulations mandate that workplaces be safe and dignified for workers, and this requirement is now recognised internationally, he said.
As Bangladesh moves towards becoming a developed country, occupational safety should be given great importance, he said.
The minister urged all stakeholders, including workers, owners, and the government, to work together to establish occupational health and safety as a national culture.
He emphasised the need for joint initiatives to ensure a decent working environment, including the proper implementation of the Bangladesh Labor Act and Bangladesh Labor Rules.
He called for working sincerely towards ensuring a decent working environment for workers.
The implementation of these measures will go a long way in protecting workers' rights and promoting sustainable development in Bangladesh, he added.
