ILO supports dialogue on safety of Bangladesh’s youth at work
The youth work force in Bangladesh is at risk from various occupational hazards as many of them, especially the adolescents (15-17 years) are not aware of potential hazards and are not empowered to speak up about perceived hazards.
ILO convened a dialogue on Safe Work for Youth bringing together government officials, workers’ and employers’ organisations, national and international organizations as well as youth and other stakeholders to discuss how to ensure the country’s young workers are protected at work and are empowered on occupational health and safety to advocate for their own rights at work.
The youth work force in Bangladesh is at risk from various occupational hazards as many of them, especially the adolescents (15-17 years) are not aware of potential hazards and are not empowered to speak up about perceived hazards.
Many are employed in the informal sector where they are exposed to various hazards because there is a general deficit of decent work conditions including workplace safety awareness, training and poor supervision.
“The youth are a symbol of our hope and aspiration, and we must be able to harness their potential to drive the economic agenda of the country,” said Saif Uddin Ahmed, Inspector General (Additional Secretary) (Additional Duty), Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
He outlined the various measures the government had taken to improve occupational safety and health (OSH) for young workers. These include developing an OSH profile for the country, an OSH National Plan of Action (2021-2030), various guidelines for workplace safety, amendments to the Labour Act, publication of an updated list of hazardous work in which young workers should not be employed, as well as limiting the number of hours they are allowed to work.
ILO’s Maurice Brooks, Labour Administration and Working Conditions, said the collective responsibility of ensuring and guaranteeing the safety of young workers in the country was urgent and critical for the country’s development.
“Our youth, with their boundless energy, innovation, and enthusiasm, are the driving force behind progress; they are not only the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy, but also the architects of the country’s future. Yet, they are often more susceptible to occupational hazards due to insufficient experience and unfamiliarity with workplace dynamics. It is our duty to create environments that foster their safety and well-being by prioritizing safe work for youth,” said Brooks.
He urged participants to collaboratively explore innovative solutions, share best practices, and develop strategies that not only address existing challenges youth at work face, but also anticipate and adapt to the evolving landscape of work to ensure that youth thrive in an environment that values their contributions and protects their rights.
Bangladesh’s youth labour force, aged between 15 and 29 years, is 26.82 million representing 36.7 percent of the total labour force, according to the Labour Force Survey 2022. Most the country’s working youth (92.7%) are found in the informal sector, where occupational safety and health awareness is extremely limited.
By effectively combining youth engagement principles with OSH knowledge, this initiative aims to create a safer work environment with reduced hazards and risks to working youth while fostering their active involvement in promoting occupational safety and health. Ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for young workers is essential for their well-being, proper growth and development, as well as the country's sustainable economic development. This requires continued education, capacity building and awareness raising on OSH issues among employers and workers, including the youth, and enforcement of labour laws.
The youth work force in Bangladesh is at risk from various occupational hazards as many of them, especially the adolescents (15-17 years) are not aware of potential hazards and are not empowered to speak up about perceived hazards.
Many are employed in the informal sector where they are exposed to various hazards because there is a general deficit of decent work conditions including workplace safety awareness, training and poor supervision.
“The youth are a symbol of our hope and aspiration, and we must be able to harness their potential to drive the economic agenda of the country,” said Saif Uddin Ahmed, Inspector General (Additional Secretary) (Additional Duty), Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
He outlined the various measures the government had taken to improve occupational safety and health (OSH) for young workers. These include developing an OSH profile for the country, an OSH National Plan of Action (2021-2030), various guidelines for workplace safety, amendments to the Labour Act, publication of an updated list of hazardous work in which young workers should not be employed, as well as limiting the number of hours they are allowed to work.
ILO’s Maurice Brooks, Labour Administration and Working Conditions, said the collective responsibility of ensuring and guaranteeing the safety of young workers in the country was urgent and critical for the country’s development.
“Our youth, with their boundless energy, innovation, and enthusiasm, are the driving force behind progress; they are not only the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy, but also the architects of the country’s future. Yet, they are often more susceptible to occupational hazards due to insufficient experience and unfamiliarity with workplace dynamics. It is our duty to create environments that foster their safety and well-being by prioritizing safe work for youth,” said Brooks.
He urged participants to collaboratively explore innovative solutions, share best practices, and develop strategies that not only address existing challenges youth at work face, but also anticipate and adapt to the evolving landscape of work to ensure that youth thrive in an environment that values their contributions and protects their rights.
Bangladesh’s youth labour force, aged between 15 and 29 years, is 26.82 million representing 36.7 percent of the total labour force, according to the Labour Force Survey 2022. Most the country’s working youth (92.7%) are found in the informal sector, where occupational safety and health awareness is extremely limited.
By effectively combining youth engagement principles with OSH knowledge, this initiative aims to create a safer work environment with reduced hazards and risks to working youth while fostering their active involvement in promoting occupational safety and health. Ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for young workers is essential for their well-being, proper growth and development, as well as the country's sustainable economic development. This requires continued education, capacity building and awareness raising on OSH issues among employers and workers, including the youth, and enforcement of labour laws.