The 40-day course entitled ‘Foundational Training for Labour Inspection Officials’ has been developed by the Department of Inspections for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) and Bangladesh Institute of Administration and Management (BIAM) with the support of the International Labour Organization’s Improving Working Conditions in the Ready-made Garments Sector Programme funded by Canada, the Netherlands and UK and the ILO’s International Training Centre in Turin.

The course covers a wide range of subjects that will enhance the professional skills of inspectors. These include labour market-related policies and programmes, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), International Labour Standards and Bangladesh Labour Laws. It also covers areas such as the Bangladesh and global economy, government service rules, procedures, team work and office management.

Speaking at the opening, Chief Guest Minister Mr Md Mujibul Haque, MP, State Minister, Ministry of Labour and Employment said, “Over the past two and a half years the Bangladesh labour inspectorate has undergone a process of transformation. It is now better funded, better resourced and better trained. This training programme will build the capacity of the Department of Inspections for Factories and Establishments and help ensure better working conditions across Bangladesh.”

Held at the Bangladesh Institute of Administration and Management (BIAM) the training will take place in four batches of 40 inspectors. All 160 inspectors will have completed the training by February 2016. Those being trained include newly recruited inspectors as well as more experienced colleagues.

ILO Country Director Srinivas Reddy said, “This training forms an integral part of ILO’s capacity building activities to help Bangladesh develop a modern, transparent and credible labour inspection system. This comprehensive course will build upon earlier introductory training to give inspectors a deeper understanding not only of how to carry out inspections but also how to conduct themselves as competent and confident government officials.”

ILO is working closely with DIFE to enhance the capacity of the Bangladesh labour inspectorate. In addition to supporting training activities, ILO is also helping develop improved labour inspection procedures, a strategic inspection roadmap and more effective data management systems as well as providing motorcycles and IT equipment to help DIFE carry out its mandate.

Participating in the launch of the Foundational training for Labour Inspection Officials were: Mr Md Mujibul Haque, MP, State Minister, Ministry of Labour and Employment; Mr Robert W Gibson, High Commissioner, British High Commission to Bangladesh; Mr Benoit-Pierre Laramee, High Commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh; Mr Mikail Shipar, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment; Mr Md Fazlul Haque, Director General, Bangladesh Institute of Administration and Management (BIAM); Mr Syed Ahmed, Inspector General, Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE); Ms Martine van Hoogstraten, Charge d’Affairs, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Mr Srinivas B Reddy, Country Director, International Labour Organization (ILO).