DHAKA, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has said that the country is considering ratifying the International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions related to occupational health and safety as the issue remains high on the agenda in the aftermath of a series of tragic fire incidents, including one that took place in February.
"In Bangladesh, we do have a robust legal, policy and institutional mechanism for promoting occupational safety and health. We have made significant strides in ensuring building and fire safety in the ready-made garments sector that now needs to be replicated in other industrial sectors as well," the foreign secretary said.
Speaking at a national dialogue focusing on the labor sector organized on Sunday, he said the discussions of the dialogue would be helpful for Bangladesh to consider ratifying the ILO Conventions 155 and 187 that have recently been included among those featuring the fundamental principles and rights at work.
"It is our collective responsibility as government and social partners to promote a sound occupational safety and health culture across the board and make fire and construction-related accidents in the workplace a matter of the past," the foreign secretary said. ■