A bilateral meeting between Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF) and Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) was held to review the progress of Implementation of the National Plan of Action (NPA) to Eliminate Child Labour from the Local RMG of Keraniganj Industrial Area (2022-2023). The meeting was held in the Conference room of DIFE Head Office, Dhaka on 17 August 2022.

The objectives of the meeting were to have a look at what has been implemented so far, identify the challenges at the field level and develop a future strategy for implementing the NPA.

In his welcome speech, Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF) Executive Director expressed deep concern on Child Labour, Fire Safety, Occupational Health and Safety, and ignorance of Labour Law in Keraniganj Local RMG Factories. He mentioned BLF has already identified about 10500 individual child workers whose age are below 14. He also expressed that before withdrawing these children we need to think of their rehabilitation process.

Following the discussion, participants determined their next strategy to implement the NPA and withdraw child labour from Keraniganj within the time frame. The meeting agreed to take a new program in this regard where BLF and DIFE will work together. Mina Masud Uzzaman, Additional Inspector General, DIFE instructed the concerned officials of DIFE to give more attention to that. Among the guests, Z M Kamrul Anam, Secretary General, BLF, emphasized the importance of the local government and administration of Keraniganj, as well as all the stakeholders in implementing the NPA. He concluded the meeting with a vote of thanks.

The session was chaired by Mina Masud Uzzaman, Additional Inspector General, DIFE, and moderated by Md. Matiur Rahman, Joint Inspector General (Health).