Coming lockdown: Monnujan for enforcing health rules at factories 

State Minister for Labour and Employment, Monnujan Sufian, said the authorities concerned will take the highest health safety measures for industrial workers who are at work during the one-week countrywide lockdown starting Wednesday. 

She made this statement on a virtual meeting of crisis management committees formed by the ministry on Monday, said a press statement issued by the ministry.

The state minister said all 23 committees comprised of officials of the department of inspection for factories and establishment, field officers of the labour department, and representatives from workers and factory owners, will have to sincerely ensure worker safety during the lockdown. 

In order to keep the wheels of the country's economy running,  the government, factory owners, and labour representatives, will have to work together to ensure the safety and protection of workers, she added.

The authorities of factories and members of the crisis management committees must be vigilant and sincere to ensure hygiene rules are followed on the factory premises during the lockdown to come, the state minister continued. 

In the meeting, factory owner representatives outlined their plans to ensure social distancing and other health safety measures on factory premises and transport for workers, during the upcoming week long lockdown. 

Worker representatives demanded transport arrangements, proper duty shifts and financial incentives for workers who continue to work during the upcoming lockdown. 

Labour and Employment Secretary KM Abdus Salam, its Additional Secretary, Dr Rezaul Haque, DG of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishment, Md Nasir Uddin Ahmed, and BKMEA Senior Vice President Mohammad Hatem,  among others, were present at the meeting.