Md. Moniruzzaman could no longer contain his emotion as he received the award for best student on a comprehensive foundational training course for labour inspectors that came to an end recently.

At a ceremony held 9 March presided over by Md Mujibul Haque, MP, State Minister, Ministry of Labour and Employment, the inspector from Dhaka explained how since joining the Department of Inspections for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) in 2009 he had never received any training. Having the chance to be trained and then coming top amongst the 40 inspectors on the course reduced the 33-year-old to tears of joy.

I feel very proud. This was good training for all of us and will be very helpful in my service life. Now when I visit factories I am much more confident and know a lot more,” Md. Moniruzzaman said.

The 40-day course entitled ‘Foundational Training for Labour Inspection Officials’ was developed by DIFE and the Bangladesh Institute of Administration and Management (BIAM) with the support of the the ILO’s International Training Centre in Turin as well as the ILO’s Improving Working Conditions in the Ready-made Garments Sector Programme funded by Canada, the Netherlands and the UK.

It covers a wide range of subjects that will enhance the professional skills of inspectors. These include labour market-related policies and programmes, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), International Labour Standards and Bangladesh Labour Laws. It also covers areas such as the Bangladesh and global economy, government service rules, procedures, team work and office management.

In total, 160 inspectors have completed the course, with the first batch commencing its study in August 2015.

Speaking at the event ILO’s Toumo Poutiainen said, “DIFE’s ability to offer this course is another sign of its reform in action. Meanwhile, those who have completed this comprehensive course will help Bangladesh develop a modern, transparent, accountable and credible labour inspection system.”

The foundational training programme has become an integral part of DIFE’s capacity building actions and will be offered on a regular basis when new inspectors are recruited.