Bangladesh, one of the third world countries, is going ahead with the development of its Industries and factories. Almost in every scale of Development, Bangladesh has enough achievements to notice itself .We are preparing to stand up more strongly on Social and Economic sector of the world. In last two decades, our country has achieved the maximum economic growth. According to any justification, this story of success is not uncared for. But besides this positive achievement, the workers who are the fundamental improve- maker of our country are almost neglected from modern facilities and services, even there is a great lack of their safety.
The economy of Bangladesh is jointly depends upon Industry (Cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing), Agriculture (Rice, jute, tea, wheat; beef), and Exports (Garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood).And almost all of the workers of our country are related to those occupations. Even though nation gets its source of income, our workers are not in a safe zone still now. It’s a stigma for nation that fire in Garments, collapsing workers building, discrimination in getting salary is escalating day by day in our country. Threat of the Workers’ Safety is of 3 kinds:
a. Physical lack of security of workers.
b. Economic lack of safety of workers.
c. Social lack of safety of the marginal working class.
b. Economic lack of safety of workers.
c. Social lack of safety of the marginal working class.
In Bangladesh there are also some studies on this issue by the foreign agencies but not the foreign buyers. Most of the foreign studies suggest the following:
a. Investment 10% more in labor salary increases 13.5% production.
b. Invest 10% in labor health increase the production 11.6%.
c. Invest 10% in social safety net give dividend in production of 11.07%.
b. Invest 10% in labor health increase the production 11.6%.
c. Invest 10% in social safety net give dividend in production of 11.07%.
Child labor Issue: Bangladesh in rural and urban areas with about 10% of children between age 5-14 in the work force and about 7% of the children between age 7-14 attending school and working.
Bangladesh passed the Human Trafficking deterrence and suspension act 2012 which makes human trafficking (including labor trafficking ) a capital offense, developed and fully funded a Child labor related data and began implementation of US $9 million child labor project.
Compliance: Five deadly incidents from November 2012 through May 2013 brought workers safety and labor violations in Bangladesh to world attention putting pressure on big global clothing brands such as Primark, Loblaw, Joe Fresh, Gap, Walmart, Nike, Tchibo, Calvin klein, and tommy Hilfiger, and retailers to to respond by using their economic weight to enact change.
Political Uncertainty: For the political unrest 62% of the industries could not ship their order to their European and American countries. Even, due to more than 130 days hartal and 67 days road blockade in recent months most of the workers of our country have been failed to attend their working sector and it is a curse to Bangladesh, a developing country.
Lack of infrastructural facilities: It is a vital sector for all workers of Bangladesh especially for Garments labor. But after 40 years of independence, if we compare our basic infrastructures with our any neighboring countries, we must say that our standard is not enough to be considered even. Also Rana Plaza Tragedy, which is collapsing of an eight-story building in Savar, Dhaka causing huge number of death,reminds us how low our Industry infrastructures’ condition is.
Lack of skilled workers: WB has said by analyzing labor survey, Bangladesh has about 5 crore 67 lakh labor and within it 2 crore and 32 lakh or 41% are not educated at all, one crore and 30 lakh couldn’t pass the primary level, and from the rest only 3.7% have degree from university and 0.2% have degree from technical Institute.
Lack of Social safety: In almost all of our Industries and small industries, Workers especially women do not get enough social safety due to lack of consciousness and indifference ofowner of industries or government.
Recommendation for labor securities: So far we’ve discussed the problem prevailing in our industry sectors, but we could not be hopeless to learning all this things. We must remember that problem and prospects walk together. So to cope up with the problem the following steps can be taken.
1. Increase better managed Infrastructure. All buildings including extensions to the factory must meet legal standards and electrical equipments should be properly maintained.
2. Managers, supervisors and workers should be properly trained in fire and safety procedures and take responsibility for ensuring the safe exit of the building during or following an accident
3. Child labor should not be employed in any sector of industry and government should provide necessities of these children. 4. Take new approach to law and Order.
5. Govt. should arrange the loan for small and medium industries.
5. Govt. should arrange the loan for small and medium industries.
6. Change attitude and respect women workers.
7. Especial take care on Garments Sector.
8. Change salary structure and give more opportunities to workers.
9. Arrange more seminar or workshop for getting more skilled workers and improve especially on technical sector.
Time has come to renovate, reorganize the whole working sector of our country. For getting the favor, we must look for competitive and effective labor market in future otherwise we will envisage with serious trouble.