Labour Minister calls for joint public-private initiative to develop skilled workforce

Labour Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury on Friday called for joint public-private sector cooperation to develop people's skills, which he said is currently in high demand both at home and abroad,

"We have technical training centres (TTCs) run by the government. Private institutions can come here and provide training. We want to jointly develop a successful and exemplary model, even on a small scale," he said, according to a press release.

The minister made the remarks while visiting the office and industrial plant of BSRM, one of the country's leading steel manufacturers, in Mirsarai, Chattogram, on Friday.

During the visit, he stressed the need to ensure decent working conditions and workers' rights in the industrial sector.

At a brief meeting after the visit, Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said, "I thank BSRM for its contribution to the country's infrastructure development and economy from 1952 to the present. Increased employment in the country means overall development of the country."

Highlighting the importance of properly enforcing labour laws in the industrial sector, the minister said, "We receive reports from various places that labour laws are not properly implemented in many factories. During the inspection, I enquired about the number of permanent and temporary workers employed at the establishment. Today, I saw a good and well-disciplined institution. We will gradually inspect other weaker establishments as well and compare them to see how far labour laws and regulations are being complied with."

At the inspection programme, Labour and Employment Ministry Secretary Md Abdur Rahman Tarafdar called for ensuring environmentally friendly and decent working conditions in all factories and stressed the full implementation of maternity benefits for women workers.

Among others present during the visit were Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments Inspector General Md Forhad Siddique, Department of Labour Director General Md Abdus Samad Al Azad, BSRM Chairman Alihussain Akberali, and senior officials of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.