DHAKA: A comprehensive labor inspection training program was launched on Sunday to see 160 labor inspectors gain the skills needed to boost working conditions and worker safety in Bangladesh.
The 40-day course entitled ‘Foundational Training for Labour Inspection Officials’ has been developed by the Department of Inspections for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) and Bangladesh Institute of Administration and Management (BIAM) with the support of the International Labour Organization’s Improving Working Conditions in the Ready-made Garments Sector Programme funded by Canada, the Netherlands and UK and the ILO’s International Training Centre in Turin.
The course covers a wide range of subjects that will enhance the professional skills of inspectors. These include labor market-related policies and programs, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), International Labour Standards and Bangladesh Labour Laws, says a press release on the day.
It also covers areas such as the Bangladesh and global economy, government service rules, procedures, team work and office management.
Speaking at the opening, chief guest Mohammad Mujibul Haque, State Minister, Ministry of Labour and Employment said, “Over the past two and a half years the Bangladesh labour inspectorate has undergone a process of transformation. It is now better funded, better resourced and better trained”.
“This training program will build the capacity of the Department of Inspections for Factories and Establishments and help ensure better working conditions across Bangladesh.”
Held at the Bangladesh Institute of Administration and Management (BIAM) the training will take place in four batches of 40 inspectors.
All 160 inspectors will have completed the training by February 2016. Those being trained include newly recruited inspectors as well as more experienced colleagues.
ILO country director Srinivas Reddy said, “This training forms an integral part of ILO’s capacity building activities to help Bangladesh develop a modern, transparent and credible labour inspection system”.
“This comprehensive course will build upon earlier introductory training to give inspectors a deeper understanding not only of how to carry out inspections but also how to conduct themselves as competent and confident government officials.”
ILO is working closely with DIFE to enhance the capacity of the Bangladesh labor inspectorate. In addition to supporting training activities, ILO is also helping develop improved labor inspection procedures, a strategic inspection roadmap and more effective data management systems as well as providing motorcycles and IT equipment to help DIFE carry out its mandate.
Participants in the launch of the foundational training for Labour Inspection Officials include Robert W Gibson, High Commissioner, British High Commission to Bangladesh; Benoit-Pierre Laramee, High Commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh; MikailShipar, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment; Fazlul Haque, Director General, Bangladesh Institute of Administration and Management (BIAM); Syed Ahmed, Inspector General, Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE); Martine van Hoogstraten, Charge d’Affairs, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Srinivas B Reddy, Country Director, International Labour Organization (ILO).
BDST: 2158 HRS, AUG 16, 2015
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