Experts said a large number of workers at different industries are suffering from malnutrition and addressing malnutrition will be a challenge in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
They said about 43 percent female workers at ready-made garments (RMG) sector are victim of malnutrition, while malnutrition can reduce the working capacity of workers and productivity by 20 percent. “It is very important to implement the Plan of Action (2021, 2041), taken up by the government and to ensure nutritious foods for the workers for achieving SDGs,” they told on Tuesday at a meeting titled ‘Strengthening Workers’ Access to Pertinent Nutrition Opportunities’ at City Inn Hotel in Khulna, a press release said.
The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishment (DIFE) and Department of Labour in association with Switzerland-based organisation ‘Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)’ arranged the event.
State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian attended the meeting as the chief guest, while Talukder Abdul Khaleque, Mayor of Khulna City Corporation, as special guest. AKM Mizanur Rahman, Director General, Department of Labour, Dhaka;
Dr Md Mustafizur Rahman, Joint Inspector General (Health), DIFE; Dr Rudaba Khondker, Country Director, GAIN; and Ismiel Hossain, Divisional Commissioner, Khulna; also spoke. Moniruzzaman Bipul, Portfolio Lead, GAIN, presented the keynote paper. In her speech, Monnujan Sufian said the government is committed to facing the challenge of malnutrition as it causes economic losses, hampering the national development.
She said it is an urgent to give attention to the issue of implementation of Plan of Action (2021 and 2041) and ensuring nutritious foods for the workers for achieving SDGs. She called for providing nutritious foods for workers at their work places along with raising awareness on nutrition for achieving the SDGs.
Besides, Monnujan called upon those engaged in production, processing, supplying and marketing of foods to consider the matter of nutrition.
The programme was informed that ensuring required nutrition among the workers can increase the national productivity by up to 20 percent. Only anaemia caused by iron deficiency among the workers is responsible for reducing productivity worth five billion US dollar in many South Asian countries.
The speakers stressed forming an alliance aimed at bringing sustainable and positive change relating to nutrition in the country.
