Mr. Anisul Huq, MP, the Hon’ble Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs said, Workers Welfare Associations (WWA) of the EPZ enterprises are functioning peacefully and properly to ensure legal rights of the workers. He made the comment on 20 October 2022 during visiting Dhaka EPZ.
The Law Minister said, the government has enacted Bangladesh EPZ Labour Act 2019 to ensure rights and privileges of the workers which established a congenial, safe and decent working atmosphere in the EPZ. This peaceful working atmosphere encourages investors to set up factories in the EPZs, he added. He appreciated the contribution of the EPZ workers to the development of the country by their vibrant working activities.
He also lauded the role of BEPZA in flourishing private sector of the country by attracting investment, boosting export through product diversification and generating employment with empowering women. He hoped that the combined effort of workers, investors along with BEPZA would help to become a developed country as dreamt by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The Law Minister visited DEPZ to observe the existing harmonious working environment and workers-owners-management synergy along with implementation of “Bangladesh EPZ Labor Act, 2019”.
The Executive Chairman of BEPZA Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, ndc, psc briefed the Law Minister on overall activities of BEPZA including tremendous achievement in export, investment & employment, labour rights & industrial relations, decent workplace, cohesive teamwork etc. He thanked Law Minister for playing an important role in enacting a timely EPZ Labour Act 2019 and formulating EPZ Labour Rules 2022.
The Executive Chairman said, the investors and workers are the main driving forces of BEPZA’s success. Mentioning the peaceful working environment prevailing in the EPZ he hoped that the full implementation of EPZ Labour Act & Labour Rules would improve more the congenial & decent working atmosphere.
Later, he visited three garments factory i.e. British Virgin Island owned Hopyick BD. Ltd., Japanese YKK (BD) Pte. Ltd. and British Shanta Industries Ltd. He observed the production process, working environment along with Daycare Centers of those factories. He also visited Dhaka EPZ Hospital to see the medical facilities of the workers.
Among others, Secretary, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of Ministry of Law, Justice & Parliamentary affairs Md. Moinul Kabir, Member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA Ali Reza Mazid, Executive Director (Public Relations) Nazma Binte Alamgir, Executive Director (Enterprise Services) Md. Khorshid Alam, Executive Director (Security) Lt Col ASM Quamruzzaman, PBGM, Executive Director (Dhaka EPZ) Md. Abdus Sobhan investors and workers representatives of DEPZ along with high officials were present during this time.
Mentionable that, Dhaka EPZ was established in 1993 in Ganakbari area of Savar as the second largest EPZ in the country after Chattogram EPZ. At present, there are 90 operational industries in Dhaka EPZ with investment of US$ 1691.93 million. This zone exported goods worth of US$ 33,048 million with creating employment opportunities for 78,039 Bangladeshi nationals.
