Labour minister says ship recycling industry to regain top position

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque has expressed optimism that Bangladesh’s ship recycling industry will regain its position among the country’s leading industrial sectors.

He made the remarks during a visit to PHP Ship Recycling Yard in Chattogram’s Shitalpur area of Sitakunda today (1 October), according to a press release.

The minister said the sector had significant potential and would play an important role in supplying raw materials to the country’s steel and other industries in the coming years.

He also stressed the need to ensure workers’ rights and welfare alongside industrial development.

“Ensuring the rights and welfare of workers is very important along with the progress of the industry,” he said, urging industrialists to ensure that workers and employees regularly receive their legally entitled rights and benefits.

Chattogram City Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain, Labour Ministry Secretary Md Abdur Rahman Tarafdar and Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments Director General Md Farhad Siddique accompanied the minister during the visit.

They were welcomed at the yard by Mohammad Mohsin, president of the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association and vice-chairman of PHP Family, and Zahirul Islam Rinku, managing director of the yard.

The minister and the mayor later toured different sections of the facility and expressed satisfaction with its overall environment, management and operations.

Bangladesh’s ship recycling industry supplies raw materials to the country’s steel and related industries while generating employment and supporting economic activity.

The sector’s future growth will depend partly on modernisation, improved workplace safety and stronger measures to protect workers’ welfare.