Stressing the importance of ensuring the basic rights of workers, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday urged all to show proper respect to workers and farmers.“We must properly respect the workers and farmers…they’re the most precious to us — at least to the Awami League, I can say it for sure,” she added.
The Prime Minister was speaking at a programme at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) observing the Great May Day organised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Laying emphasis on owners-workers good relations, Sheikh Hasina said owners should think that if the workers get a congenial atmosphere in mills or factories it’ll lead to better production with good quality.
“If there’s a good environment, the workers will work with much delight, which is very much important. And the owners will be the ultimate gainers of a congenial atmosphere,” she told the function.
About the duties and responsibilities of workers, the Prime Minister said it is the duty of workers to look after the mills and factories where they are working. “The workers have to take the responsibility to oversee the development and interest of factories which are giving them their livelihoods.”
So, the Prime Minister said, both sides have the responsibilities and they have to perform that.
Terming workers and farmers of the country as the main force for the country’s economy, she said their efforts will keep the economy vibrant and make it run properly.
Hasina again asked the owners not to buy land here and there and go for setting up industries. “We’re constructing economic zones for you…let your industries be set up there.”
The Prime Minister reassured that it would be possible for her government to provide gas, electricity, water and other services to their industries easily. “If you construct your industries her and there, we cannot provide you these services.”
Hasina mentioned that the government is very much serious to save agro lands.
She said the government has already started construction works on 10 economic zones and the number will gradually go up to 100. “So, make your investment there so that the production can be increased.”
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour and Employment Ministry Munnujan Sufian, ILO country director Srinivas B Reddy, President of Bangladesh Employers Federation Salahuddin Kashem Khan and Jatiya Sramik League President Alhaj Sukur Mahmud also spoke at the programme held with State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Huq Chunnu in the chair.
Labour and Employment Secretary Mikail Shipar delivered the welcome speech.
