The radio-based campaign entitled, ‘Safe Workplaces, Go ahead Bangladesh’ is being carried out by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Department of Inspections for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) in collaboration with and the International Labour Organization (ILO) with funding from Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

In order to create better recognition amongst RMG workers, supervisors and managers, well-known TV celebrity Mr. Mosharraf Karim will support a number of campaign activities.

Speaking at the launch Mr. Mikail Shipar, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh said, “Efforts to improve workplace safety remain the highest priority for the Government of Bangladesh. This campaign will reach out to RMG workers to help them better understand many safety areas. I also firmly encourage owners and managers to listen as they too have an equal responsibility regarding safety and health.”

Srinivas Reddy, ILO Country Director for Bangladesh said, “This safety campaign is certain to benefit large numbers of RMG workers. It is vital however that the efforts to build a culture of safety in Bangladesh begin to go beyond the all-important RMG sector.”

A series of 19 radio episodes will be broadcast on Dhaka FM 90.4 on Thursday and Friday evenings at 10.00 P.M. starting from 31 March 2017. Each radio episode of 30-minute duration will focus on a specific OSH related issue. Episodes will feature a drama format as well as songs and discussion. The first show will cover ‘what to do in an emergency’ while others include electrical safety, earthquakes, good housekeeping and hygiene.

A series of safety-related radio commercials will be broadcasted on Dhaka FM 90.4 throughout the day over a period of two months. These will focus on five key areas: the role of DIFE; what to do in case of fire; maternity protection; safety is everybody’s responsibility and the role of Safety Committees which comprise representatives of the management and workers.

A popular song ‘We want safety’ has been produced, to highlight key safety messages. Meanwhile, a weekly contest linked to the radio programme will give listeners the chance to win weekly 1,000 taka prizes as well as a grand prize at the end of the campaign of 50,000 taka.

A safety video aimed at workers as well as posters and stickers have been produced to support the campaign and will be distributed widely to RMG factories. Labour inspectorate staff members are also receiving training to help build their communications skills when working with managers and workers.

Also taking part in the event were Mr. Golam Mainuddin, Vice President, Bangladesh Employers’ Federation; Mr. Md. Shamsuzzaman Bhuiyan Inspector General, Department of Inspections for Factories and Establishments; Mr Chowdhury Ashiqul Alam, Member Secretary, NCCWE; Mr. Kutubuddin Ahmed, Secretary General, IndustriAll Bangladesh Council; Mr Khondker Mostan Hossain, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment.