On the occasion, the government of Bangladesh presented Good Practice Awards to 24 companies from the apparel, finished leather, jute, pharmaceutical and tea sectors.
The enterprises were all honoured for maintaining consistently high safety and health standards in their respective factories.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and State Minister for Labour and Employment Monnujan Sufian handed over the awards to representatives from Plummy Fashions, Wisdom Attires, Nafisa Apparels, Mother Colour, Fatullah Apparels, Comfit Composite Knit, Layla Styles, Epyllon Styles, Ecofab, Ananta Garments, Crown Wears (Pvt), Zaber & Zubaer Fabrics, Square Pharmaceuticals, Beximco Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi Bangladesh, Maf Shoes, Apex Footwear, Picard Bangladesh, Zareen Plantation, Shumshernugger Tea Estate, Janata Jute Mills, Wahab Jute Mills and Northern Jute Manufacturing Company at a ceremony held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in the city.
At the event, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) received a special award from the Bangladesh government in recognition of its 100 years of service in promoting social justice and decent work.
Globally, an estimated 2.78 million workers die each year as a result of occupational accidents or work-related diseases, ILO said.
Additionally, some 374 million non-fatal work-related injuries occur each year all over the world. Most of these deaths and accidents are preventable, according to ILO.
Tipu Munshi said occupational safety and health must be common and collaborative goal. “It is important to look after our workers. Otherwise how will they be productive?”