BANGLADESH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said acquiring better skills and knowledge of technology application were necessary for workers to fight global challenges amid economic upheaval.

While global economic giants are passing hard times, Hasina said a concerted effort was needed for Bangladesh to stay afloat as many countries are adopting fiercer approaches to remain competitive in global market.

She said Bangladesh has a chance given the workers acquiring better skills despite tough challenges thrown by existing and emerging competitors.

"The country's manufacturing sector is facing a stiff competition because of global economic crisis. I call upon you to enhance skill and increase capability of application of technologies," she told a May Day discussion at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

The labour and employment ministry organised the discussion to commemorate the day.

The prime minister said united efforts by workers, employers and government could build Bangladesh as a developed and modern country.

Hasina also urged all to uphold the country's interest.
She said workers, employers and the nation would survive, if industries and factories sustain.

Saying her government has fulfilled demands of the workers, Hasina also urged them to pay more attention towards keeping the country's export market on course.

"We have fulfilled all of your demands. The working force would flourish if the industries sustain," she said.

Detailing her administration's various steps, she said the government formed the National Wage and Productivity Commission after assuming office this time.

She said the government decided to raise the salary and allowances by about 70 percent and a law will be enacted in this regard.

Hasina said her government has enhanced retirement age of the workers to 60 from 57 and announced minimum wages in different sectors including Tk 3,000 in the garment sector.

The prime minister said her 1996-2001 government had leased out a number of mills and factories to the workers on a partnership basis, and many of those mills and factories are now running well.

"This time, we resumed production at People's Jute Mills and Qaumi Jute Mills bringing smiles on the faces of the workers," she said.
Hasina said the government has formulated a contemporary policy for the industrial sector.

She said the government has also rolled out a policy to remove child workers and provide them with educational and vocational training after freeing them from sweatshops.

Hasina said her government wants that the lives of the workers be solvent and developed.

She said her administration had solved problems the workers faced and called on them to keep in mind what role the state was playing for them.

Addressing the industry owners, she said they needed to become a part of their workers' 'well and woes' to ensure a proper industrial state with high level of production.

Hasina recalled the sacrifice of the workers in Chicago and said Bangladesh has held its head high in the world, getting respects worldwide.

She said Bangladesh has become a model of development in the world and asked the workers to maintain this trend.

Hasina recalled various steps taken by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to ensure the rights of the workers.

She said the Father of the Nation had declared May Day a public holiday after independence.

"He had ensured the rights of the working people in the articles 14 and 19 in the constitution. He formed the wage commission and revived abandoned factories, banks and insurance by keeping them under public sector."

The prime minister said the government is working to increase exports by building factories.

She said her government's aim is to strengthen rural economy as production would increase in line with the rural people's buying capacity.

The prime minister said the objective of her party's politics is to improve quality of life of the working people.
Hasina also inaugurated the online trade union registration and factory registration and a May Day fair at the venue.