A human chain was formed on Saturday  December 30 demanding determination of standards of compensation for accidents at workplaces and occupational health safety as per International Labor Standards and the High Court directives.

Shipwreck Workers Safety Committee arranged the programme at 3 pm, at Jamal Khan Press Club Crossing in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

The programme was held presided over by Advocate Zahir Uddin Mahmud, Convener of Shipwreck Workers Safety Committee.

Bill-DTDA Center Coordinator Fazlul Kabir Mintu and Joint Member Secretary of Safety Committee Md Idris jointly conducted the programme.

Convener of Shipwrecked Workers Trade Union Forum Vir Muktijodha Tapan Dutta, forum member Machiud Daula, Member Secretary of Safety Committee Md Ali, KM Shahidullah, Joint Convener of Safety Committee Didarul Alam Chowdhury,

Abdur Rahim Master, Md Iqbal Hassan and Manik Mandal, among others, addressed the gathering.

Addressing the programme, the speakers said the compensation for victims of accidents at workplaces and occupational health and safety are enshrined as rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international agreements on economic, social and cultural issues. 

Ensuring this right requires safe and healthy workplaces, control over occupational diseases, adequate facilities for healthcare and at the same time guaranteeing the income of the family members of accident victims, especially the dependents,

so that the dependents of the victims of occupational injuries don’t face any kind of unexpected financial crisis. 

The leaders also said that the International Labor Organization (ILO) has adopted a number of conventions and recommendations to protect against accidents and occupational disasters  at workplaces.

According to ILO Conventions 102 and 121, if a worker is permanently or partially disabled or unable to earn due to the negative effects of an accident at workplace or an occupational hazard,

the employer has to bear his/her responsibility. Workplace safety must be given first priority and there is no room for even the slightest negligence regarding workplace safety. 

The speakers called for the proper implementation of ILO Conventions 102 and 121, Fatal Accidents Act 1855 and the High Court directives to set standards of compensation for accidents at workplaces and enact strict laws to ensure occupational health and safety.

The leaders said, if necessary, the current labor law should be amended and more stringent laws should be formulated. 

They also laid emphasis on ensuring accountability of employers and state labor departments to ensure safe workplaces for workers.