Tannery workers demand better rights for improved productivity
Staff Reporter :
In the tannery industries of Savar Tannery Estate, occupational hazards pose significant challenges to the workers processing raw hides.
The absence of a dedicated hospital for immediate treatment exacerbates the situation, leaving workers to endure various long-term sufferings.
Furthermore, the lack of residential facilities forces many workers to travel daily from Hazaribag to Savar Tannery Estate, losing four to five hours on the way.
Despite being the second-largest foreign currency earners, most workers lack essential skills due to inadequate training opportunities. To address this issue and to cope with the automation systems, workers are now demanding of a training center to hone their skills.
The urgent need for worker rights and welfare came to light during a joint consultation meeting held on Monday at a city restaurant in the capital. The Tannery Workers Union (TWU) and Bangladesh Labour Rights Journalists Forum (BLRF) organised the meeting, with support from the Solidarity Center-Bangladesh.
Workers voiced their grievances about the lack of regularisation, appointment letters, decent work environments, medical facilities, housing, and recreational activities, all of which are essential for ensuring productivity and well-being.
Adding to the woes, the workers expressed concerns about the unfair termination of skilled and experienced personnel by tannery owners, who seek to cut costs by hiring unskilled labor.
This practice ultimately compromises the quality of finished goods and negatively impacts the industry’s reputation, leading to reduced prices for raw hides in the international market.
Md Foyez, a tannery worker with 22 years of experience, shared his ordeal of not receiving an appointment letter despite years of service. He also highlighted the lack of immediate treatment for workers who sustain injuries while handling raw hides and chemical substances.
The TWU proposed the establishment of a ‘Tannery Board’ to safeguard workers’ rights and promote mutual interests with tannery owners.
They believe that implementing a National Plan of Action is essential for boosting the productivity of the sector and ensuring the well-being of the workforce.
To remain competitive in the global market, the TWU emphasised the significance of obtaining the Labour Working Group certificate by meeting social compliance, environmental justice, and producing quality leathers. Without this certificate, the leather industries risk losing out on maximum earnings from European buyers.
