Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, MP, the Speaker of the National Parliament, attended an event organized by the Bangladesh Workers Welfare Foundation as the chief guest at the initiative of the Ministry of Labor and Employment, titled “Building Unity of Workers and Creating a Smart Bangladesh,” held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka. On the occasion of International Workers’ Day 2023, distributed cheques of financial assistance among the workers on behalf of Bangladesh Sramik Kallyan Foundation. Nilufa Begum, a worker from the Crony Group, received a check of BDT 1 lakh for her husband’s cancer treatment. Nillufa Begum expressed her gratitude, stating that with this financial assistance, she would be able to restart her husband’s halted chemotherapy. Neela Hosna Ara, Director of BGMEA as well as the Chairperson of Crony Group and A.H Aslam Sunny, the Managing Director, thanked and sincerely appreciated the initiative taken by the government.
Speaker of Jatiya Sangshad Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury today urged industry owners to protect and implement the rights of workers with a sensitive attitude as the harmony between them can create the foundation of Smart Bangladesh.
“Development is not possible by depriving the workers. Workers are the lifeline of development. Workers are strengthening the national economy by making important contributions to various industrial sectors including garment, pharmaceutical, construction and tea production. The worker-owner harmony can create the foundation of Smart Bangladesh,” she said.
Shirin Sharmin said, “Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a true friend of the working people. In 1972, he formulated the Labour Policy. Bangladesh became a member of the ILO in 1972 under the leadership of the Father of the Nation.
She went on to say that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government is working to improve the quality of life of the working people and protect their rights, following the footsteps of the Father of the Nation.
State Minister for Labour and Employment Monnujan Sufian presided over the event, while Labour and Employment secretary Ehsan-E-Elahi delivered the welcome speech, said a press release.
Besides, Director General of the Department of Labour Khaled Mamun Chowdhury, Inspector General of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments Nasir Uddin Ahmed, Country Director of International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Bangladesh Tuomo Poutiainen, President of Bangladesh Employers’ Federation Ardashir Kabir, acting president of Jatiya Sramik League Noor Qutub Alam Mannan spoke on the occasion.
