The Imarat Nirman Sramik Union Bangladesh, a trade union for construction workers, on Saturday called upon the authorities concerned to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for them, said a press release.
The INSUB at a rally in front of the National Press Club also demanded introducing a rationing system and fair compensation for the families of workers killed in workplace-related accidents.
At the rally, the union leaders raised a 12-point demand that included affordable housing, expansion of welfare programmes, workplace safety, establishment of workers鈥� legal rights and enforcement of occupational safety and health measures.
The demands also included their representation in health councils, protection from violence, government-led training for overseas employment, establishment of labour shelters, equal wages for female workers, implementation of a worker registration system and enforcement of the government-declared minimum wage.
Md Anwar Hossain, president of the Bangladesh Nationalist Workers Party, general secretary of Bangladesh Trade Union Centre Abul Kalam Azad and general secretary of Sammilita Samajik Andolan Saleh Ahmed were present at the event along with INSUB鈥檚 central leaders.
The leaders emphasised that despite the construction workers鈥� significant contribution to the country鈥檚 development, they continued to face hazardous conditions, low wages, and a lack of social security.
They also demanded establishment of construction workers鈥� colonies in Dhaka and across the country, along with schools and medical centres for workers鈥� families.
Ensuring workplace safety and fair compensation was highlighted as a key concern at the rally, with INSUB calling for full implementation of labour rights, a mandatory rationing system, and a minimum compensation of Tk 15 lakh for fatal workplace accidents or lifelong disabilities, in line with ILO Convention 121.
The leaders also demanded the establishment of labour courts in districts and upazilas with a 42-day deadline for resolving labour disputes, ensuring a safe working environment at construction sites, and inclusion of INSUB representatives in the National Industrial Health Council.
At the event, the leaders also called for government-led training programmes and fair employment opportunities abroad with reduced worker exploitation.
The workers further demanded the implementation of a worker registration system at all under-construction sites and strict enforcement of the government-declared minimum wage.
