Editorial
Protective laws for construction workers
The demand merits serious consideration
WE fully endorse the demand of the construction workers for new laws insofar as those relate to governing their remuneration and working conditions. Given that there are a large number of people that subsist on the earnings of these workers in an industry that produces revenue of more than 1000 crore every year it was about time the government took up the issue as matter of priority.
Needless to say, real estate and construction business has grown by leaps and bounds in the last decade. The capital in particular has seen very large and tall buildings going up in recent times. Regrettably, sophistication in the type and size of buildings has not seen matching improvement in the working conditions or introduction of modern construction equipment. It is not uncommon for anyone passing by an underconstruction structure to notice the precarious manner in which masons and other labourers go about their work. Not only are they constantly putting themselves in danger they are also expose others around them to physical risk.
The existing labour laws notwithstanding, we feel that there is need to ensure on the part of the construction companies adequate safety measures for the workers that are missing at the moment. These measures must be spelt out clearly, violation of which should be made a culpable offence.
What must be guaranteed by law too is for the companies to provide appropriate tool and implements to go about their business more efficiently and safely. It was a sad sight for us not very long ago to see workers getting impaled on iron rods while trying to pull down a tall building in Dhaka; as many as fourteen workers were killed in that operation. Most noticeable was the crude and archaic method of their work.
It is disconcerting that some of the construction workers have been going without their wages for a long time. While there need not be a new law for this since payment of timely wage by the employers is obligatory under the existing labour laws, the apex body of the real estate companies REHAB must not fail to ensure that their members are up to date in payment of the workers' dues.
We feel that both the government and REHAB should in concert formulate necessary laws which would not only ensure the safety and wellbeing of the construction workers, it would also ensure better output of their work.
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