Speakers on Monday urged the government to set up training centre, hospital and residence for leather workers as well as ensure social compliance to boost the sector achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
They came with urging at a joint consultation meeting organised by Tannery Workers’ Union (TWU) and Bangladesh Labour Rights Journalists Forum (BLRJF) with the association of the Solidarity Center-Bangladesh in a city hotel.
“In the leather industry, approximately 300 different types of chemicals are utilised, but there is a glaring absence of medical facilities for the workers. Despite the health hazards involved, I have been employed in the Tannery sector for the past 22 years. Shockingly, despite years of dedicated service, I have not received an appointment letter,” said Mohammad Foyez, a worker at Savar Tannery Industrial Estate.
He shared that they suffer due to a lack of immediate treatment for workers who sustain injuries while handling raw hides and chemical substances. Even, owners don’t get proper safety equipment despite using more chemicals.
“22 years ago when I first started this job, my salary was Tk1,450, but it has now risen to Tk16,000. Despite the increase, our family is struggling to cope with the high inflation, and we are facing challenging times due to the meagre income”, he added.
TWU president Abul Kalam Azad said the workers are not getting their due rights. A National Plan of Action has been prepared, but it is not being implemented. Without meeting the rights of the workers, the productivity of the sector will not increase.
About the Labour Working Group (LWG) certificate, he said, “Compliance with social standards, environmental justice, and producing quality leathers is imperative to obtain the certificate. Without this certification, the leather industries will be unable to maximise their earnings from European buyers.
“It would not be possible to achieve the SDGs, if we don’t ensure workers’ rights properly,” he also added. He proposed to establish a “Tannery Board” to safeguard workers' rights and promote mutual interests with tannery owners.
“Despite being the second-largest foreign currency earners, most workers lack essential skills due to inadequate training opportunities. To address this issue and to cope with the automation systems, workers are now demanding a training centre to hone their skills,” TWU General Secretary Abdul Malek said.
“Our capacity to fully capitalise on the potential is hampered by the owners’ lack of interest despite handling 100 per cent of raw hides. The Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industry Corporation (BSCIC) has been exposed for its incompetence and neglect in managing the Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) of Savar tannery industrial estate, which are unsuitable for production,” he added.
Around 15,000 workers are in the leather sector, he informed.
However, Bangladesh’s leather export in the 2022-23 fiscal year was $1.22 billion, which is 1.74 per cent down from the previous fiscal year.
Solidarity Center Bangladesh Programme Officer Mohammad Nazrul Islam, BLRF President Kazi Abdul Hannan and its General Secretary Ataur Rahman also spoke there.
