Half the RMG workers malnorished
Adequate nourishment can raise national productivity by 20 percent
About 43 percent ready-made garments (RMG) workers are suffering from malnutrition. This was told to a meeting titled "Strengthening Workers' Access to Pertinent Nutrition Opportunities" organised by Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) on Monday.
Moniruzzaman Bipul, portfolio lead of GAIN, a Swiss-based international organisation, citing a report of the World Health Organization (WHO), 2003, said adequate nourishment can raise national productivity by 20 percent.
The meeting held at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital was chaired by Shib Nath Roy, inspector general of DIFE; and KM Abdus Salam, secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, attended the event as chief guest.
In a press release, GAIN said that there are 35 to 42 lakh workers in the country's RMG sector. Providing access to nutritious and safe food for the workers can ensure utilisation of the full potential or productivity of workers, Moniruzzaman Bipul added.
KM Abdus Salam, in his address, stressed on the health issue of workers, calling on all concerned to work together in this regard.
Among others, the speakers at the event were Dr Rudaba Khondker, Bangladesh country director of GAIN; Dr Md Mustafizur Rahman, joint inspector general of DIFE; Dr Muttaquina Hossain, associate scientist, icddr,b; Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, director of BKMEA and Hanifur Rahman Lotus, chair-health standing committee of BGMEA.
The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishment (DIFE) supported by GAIN organised the event.