‘Malnutrition reduces RMG workers’ productivity’

Speakers referring from various studies have said malnutrition in readymade garment workers reduces their productivity.

They heighted the issue at the inaugural function of a workshop titled, "Training on Basic Nutrition and Food Supply in Garments Industry" at a city hotel on Sunday.

A research by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has stated that malnutrition in garments workers reduces their productivity. Female workers are at the worst end of this. An Icddr'b research of 2014 suggested that more than 40 percent of the female workers in RMG sector in Bangladesh suffer from chronic malnutrition.

KM Ali Azam, secretary to the labour and employment ministry, inaugurated the two-day workshop.

"This type of training is very important for the use of knowledge and intellect and the transformation of knowledge. I hope that with this training will be able to establish a coordination between the owners and the workers," he added.

The workshop has been jointly organised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, and assisted by Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), a Switzerland-based international organisation.

"I believe it is not enough just to train the officers concerned, but the trainings also have to be made more practical," said Country Director of GAIN Bangladesh Dr Rudaba Khandaker.

Line Director of the National Nutrition Services (Public Interest Nutrition Institute) SM Mostafizur Rahman, Secretary General of Bangladesh Employers Federation Farooq Ahmed, Joint Inspector General of Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments Md Mostafizur Rahman and Portfolio Lead of GAIN Moniruzzaman also spoke at the event.

The concluding session of the workshop will be held on Monday.