Labour administration

Foundational training equips labour inspectors to promote workplace health, safety and welfare

Article | Dhaka | 30 May 2021
Thirty labour inspection officials took part in the sixth batch of Foundational Training at Bangladesh Institute of Administration and Management (BIAM) Foundation's Regional Center in Cox's Bazar.

DHAKA (ILO News) - The sixth batch of labour inspectors (26 men, 4 women) have completed a Foundational Training course in April 2021 where they  learnt about the service rules of the Bangladesh government and the functions and business processes of the national labour inspectorate, the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE). The participants also gained an appreciation of international labour standards including gender mainstreaming and learnt how they can implement these standards in DIFE’s day-to-day activities.

 

One of the participants, Dr Deepa Dutta trained as a medical practitioner and joined the health department of DIFE in February 2017. With four years of work experience in the labour inspectorate, Deepa said that she picked up new information and expertise from the course. “I have learnt some important tools and techniques from the Foundational Training course which will enable me to complete performance appraisal, motivate stakeholders more persuasively, and monitor and ensure the rights of women in the workplace.”

 

Another graduate who successfully completed the course is Hazzat Shohag who works as an Assistant Inspector General at DIFE HQ in Dhaka. Hazzat has a background in research and linguistics. He said the course taught him about leadership, team building, procurement rules and project management. “After participating in the Foundational Training course, I felt more reassured. Now I have the knowledge and confidence to provide input in different official documents and participate in discussions with senior officials. I wish I could take this course earlier in my career.”

 

Inspector General of DIFE, Md. Nasir Uddin Ahmed said, “The Foundational Training course has equipped DIFE officials with knowledge on relevant rules, regulations and domain of occupational safety and health. The training has created a significant impact on the participants in terms of helping them to develop proper etiquette, manner and ethics in accordance with Bangladesh Service Rules.”

ILO’s ‘Improving Working Conditions in the Ready-Made Garment Sector’ programme funded by Canada, Netherlands and the United Kingdom has supported the organising of Foundational Training for DIFE since 2015. The course has built the capacity of 268 labour inspectors (42 women, 226 men) to date.

 

Country Director of ILO Bangladesh, Tuomo Poutiainen congratulated the graduates who completed the training despite the many challenges posed by the current pandemic. He said, “I wish all Foundational Training participants every success and trust that the learning gained from this course will help them in their endeavours to monitor and promote workplace health, safety and welfare for millions of employers and workers.”

 

We look forward to seeing a well-equipped and capable labour inspectorate having a significant impact on workplace safety in Bangladesh,” Mr Poutiainen added.