Skilled workforce key for green ship-breaking industry: Experts
They also called for significant efforts to improve workers’ living standards and enhance their skills
Skilled manpower and proper monitoring are essential for realising the full potential of the green ship-breaking industry in Bangladesh, said experts.
At a discussion titled "Green Development in Ship Breaking Yard: Procedures and Materials," organised by the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) today (28 September), they also called for significant efforts to improve workers' living standards and enhance their skills.
Liton Majumdar, head of Safety at PHP Ship Recycling Industry, led the discussion on the procedures and materials involved in the green development of ship-breaking yards.
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He outlined the benefits of establishing four green ship-breaking yards in Bangladesh, calling it a revolutionary step. However, recent accidents, such as the one at SN Corporation Green Ship Breaking Yard, have raised concerns about the industry's safety measures.
The meeting, held in the conference room of a local hotel, was chaired by Tapan Dutta, president of the Ship-breaking Workers Trade Union Forum, and Fazlul Kabir Mintu, the forum's member secretary.
Other key participants included AM Nazim Uddin, joint convener of the forum; Advocate Zahir Uddin Mahmud, convener of the Ship-breaking Workers Safety Committee; and representatives from various workers' unions and federations.
During the meeting, workers in the ship-breaking industry voiced their frustration over the lack of implementation of the minimum wage announced in 2018. They argued that without fair wages, developing a skilled workforce would remain challenging, ultimately stalling the progress of green shipyards.
The country's green shipyards have been developed with crores of taka, yet there are no effective measures for the welfare of the workers, said several speakers.
The speakers strongly urged authorities to ensure the safety of ship-breaking workers, improve their quality of life, and reconsider the outdated wage structure. They demanded an updated wage policy that reflects current market conditions, ensuring a fair and sustainable livelihood for workers.
The meeting concluded with a unified call to prioritise the welfare of ship-breaking workers, ensuring they benefit from the industry's move towards greener, more sustainable practices.
