A Correspondent:
Labor and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury yesterday stressed the need for improved training, logistical support and security for factory inspectors to strengthen workplace monitoring and safeguard workers’ rights.
“Factory inspectors need more training, logistical support and security. At the same time, they must en-sure proper and timely reporting from the field,” he said while addressing an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) seminar at a hotel in the capital.
The seminar, titled “Enhancing Occupational Safety and Health Practices in Bangladesh,” was jointly organised by the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments and the Ministry of Labour and Employment to mark National Occupational Safety and Health Day 2026.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Politics and Agriculture Nazrul Islam Khan attended the programme as the chief guest, while Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education, Primary and Mass Education, Expatriate Wel-fare and Overseas Employment, and Labour and Employment ministries Mahdi Amin was present as special guest.
Reiterating the importance of inspectors’ safety, Ariful said ensuring their security while on duty is the government’s responsibility. He also urged inspectors to remain active in the field and provide accurate, timely reports.
“They cannot sit at home, they must be properly equipped and trained to perform their duties effective-ly,” he said.
Recalling his experience as a city mayor, the minister said he had personally visited industrial establish-ments and witnessed the difficult conditions faced by workers. “The reality of workers’ living conditions cannot be understood without seeing it firsthand,” he added.
He emphasized the need for greater awareness among both employers and labor leaders to create a work-er-friendly environment.
“If we truly want to move the country forward and make it labor-friendly, we must ensure all necessary facilities for workers,” he said.
Highlighting institutional challenges, Ariful noted that many positions within the ministry lack adequate logistical support, which hampers policy implementation. He cited labor attaché’s abroad as an example, saying they often face difficulties in performing their duties due to a lack of transport facilities.
The minister underscored the importance of coordinated efforts among the government, employers and workers to improve labor conditions, noting that seminars alone are not sufficient. “We must focus on implementing the recommendations,” he said.
He expressed optimism that even partial implementation of the seminar’s recommendations could bring meaningful progress.
“If we can implement even 50 percent of the recommendations discussed yesterday, we will gradually reach full implementation,” he added.
