Coalition for Local NGOs, B’desh
A human chain formed by Coalition for Local NGOs, Bangladesh (CLNB) was held in front of the National Press Club in the city recently in demand for effective steps to prevent ‘labour accidents’ in ship breaking industry. Addressing the human chain, the speakers said the ship breaking activities are currently being run under the Ship Breaking and Ship Recycling Rules -2011. Before the enforcement of the rules, 50 people had died in ship breaking accidents while 45 more were killed afterwards, they said, adding that 2,000 more workers were injured in accidents. They pointed out that the rate of death could be reduced to zero with only a three to five-day training for a worker at a cost of Taka 1,500 only. The number of accidents is increasing day by day as the owners are running ship breaking industry with workers having no training, violating the government orders, the speakers said. The CLNB presented a six-point demand, including training of workers, appointing safety officers and compensations for the affected workers and their families. Presided over by CLNB Chairman Harun-or-Rashid, the programme was addressed, among others, by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan Joint General Secretary Mihir Biswas, Unnayanadhara Trust Member Aminur Rasul, Weekly Samikkhan Editor Shahjahan Kabir Zahir and labour leader Shahida Sarkar.
