ILO holds introductory program for new Labour Inspectors

A 3-day Introductory Course for Labour Inspectors is being held during 22nd – 24th January 2014 in Dhaka, where resource persons from the ILO and GIZ interact with the new labour inspectors. Key issues discussed in the course include the role of labour inspectors within the framework of the Bangladesh economy and legal structure, the ILO Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, features of a credible and transparent labour inspection system, national labour law, and inspection techniques.

The training takes place within the framework of both the ILO Project “Improving working conditions in the ready-made garment sector in Bangladesh” as well as PSES, a joint project of the governments of Bangladesh and Germany. 

“The recruitment of the 41 new Labour Inspectors and their ongoing training is significant milestone to reduce the risk of future tragedies in the Ready-made Garments Sector. It is an important fulfillment of governments commitment to improve labour standards and implement national legislation” said Srinivas Reddy, ILO Country Director at the inauguration ceremony.

Johannes Schneider, First Secretary, Head of German Development Cooperation, Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany said, “GIZ has a long-standing ongoing relationship with the MoLE, through the many interventions of PSES, and one of its consistent approaches have been to strengthen the capacity of the Labour Inspectors to conduct quality inspections. This initiative aims for an extensive reform, rather specifically targeted, keeping in mind MoLE’s resource constraints, to areas where maximum improvement can be achieved in the overall system”.

“The training of the newly recruited Labour Inspectors is a sign of the implementation of the commitments that the Government of Bangladesh and the development partners have made to ensure safety of ready-made garments workers.

"It serves the purpose of enhancing the overall operational capacity of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments and ensuring labour rights in all sectors,” said Mikail Shipar, Honourable Secretary, MoLE and Chief Guest at the inauguration ceremony held on the 22nd of January 2014. Mr Shipar thanked ILO, GIZ and others development partners for extending their support in this regard.

The ILO RMG Project is funded by Canada, DFID and the Netherlands. The PSES program is co-funded by the EU.

International Labour Organisation