RAJSHAHI – In a crucial step towards enhancing workplace safety, Bangladesh has inaugurated its National Occupational Safety and Health Training and Research Institute (NOSHTRI) in Terkhadia, Rajpara Thana, Rajshahi. This institute aims to improve occupational safety and health (OSH) through specialized training and research, aligning with both national and international standards. The establishment of NOSHTRI marks a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s efforts to address workplace safety issues, particularly in the country’s garment industry, which has faced scrutiny for hazardous working conditions.

Bangladesh’s garment industry is the second-largest exporter of ready-made garments in the world, contributing significantly to the national economy. However, the industry has been marred by several high-profile industrial disasters, such as the Rana Plaza collapse in 2013, which killed over 1,100 workers. These tragedies have highlighted the urgent need for improved workplace safety standards in the sector. Despite progress, the sector still struggles with issues like overcrowded factories, fire hazards, inadequate safety protocols, and poor working conditions.

At the inauguration ceremony, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Adviser to the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE), emphasized the collective responsibility of ensuring occupational health and safety in industries. He underscored the importance of adhering to Bangladesh’s labor laws and global safety standards, stressing that NOSHTRI would be key in this mission. 

"Ensuring workplace safety is not just a legal obligation but a moral duty," Bhuyain stated, pointing to the critical role of NOSHTRI in training and research to promote safer working environments.

A.H.M. Shafiquzzaman, Secretary of the MoLE, spoke about the growing significance of occupational safety as Bangladesh strives towards becoming a developed nation. He highlighted the critical role of sustainable workplace safety in the country's development goals, especially in sectors like textiles and garments that employ millions of workers, many of whom are women.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has been instrumental in supporting Bangladesh's efforts to improve workplace safety. Tuomo Poutiainen, ILO Country Director, reinforced the organization’s commitment to creating safer and healthier workplaces. He called on the government to build on the momentum by collaborating with workers’ and employers' organizations. He also encouraged Bangladesh to ratify two important ILO conventions: No. 155 on Occupational Safety and Health and No. 187 on the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health.

Representatives from various stakeholders, including workers' unions, employers’ organizations, and international development partners, attended the launch. The event, co-organized by the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), the MoLE, and the ILO, symbolized the collaborative effort needed to ensure the safety of workers across industries.