About 43 per cent female workers at the ready-made garments (RMG) sector are victims of malnutrition, speakers have said in a programme.
They said in the function on Tuesday that a large number of workers at different industries are suffering from malnutrition, reports UNB.
Malnutrition can reduce the working capacity of workers and productivity by 20 per cent while it is very important to ensure nutritious foods for the workers for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they said.
They came up with the remarks while addressing a sensitisation meeting titled ‘Strengthening Workers’ Access to Pertinent Nutrition Opportunities (SWAPNO)’ at City Inn Hotel in Khulna, said a press release.
Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishment (DIFE) and the Department of Labour in association with Switzerland-based organisation ‘Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)’ organised the event.
State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian attended the programme as the chief guest, while Talukder Abdul Khaleque, Mayor of Khulna City Corporation, was the special guest.
AKM Mizanur Rahman, Director General, Department of Labour, Dhaka; Dr Md Mustafizur Rahman, Joint Inspector General (Health), DIFE; Dr. Rudaba Khondker, Country Director, GAIN; Ismiel Hossain, Divisional Commissioner of Khulna; among others spoke.
Moniruzzaman Bipul, Portfolio Lead, GAIN, presented the keynote paper.
In her speech, Begum Monnujan Sufian said the government is committed to facing the challenge of malnutrition as it causes economic losses, hampering national development.
The Minister said it is urgent to give attention to the issue of implementation of Plan of Action (2021 and 2041) and ensuring nutritious foods for the workers for achieving SDGs.
She called for providing nutritious foods for workers at their workplaces along with raising awareness on nutrition for achieving the SDGs.
Besides, she called upon those who are engaged in production, processing, supplying, and marketing of foods to consider the matter of nutrition.
The programme was informed that ensuring required nutrition among the workers can increase the national productivity by upto 20 per cent. Only anaemia caused by iron deficiency among the workers is responsible for reducing productivity worth five billion US dollar in many South Asian countries.
Other speakers stressed forming an Alliance aimed at bringing sustainable and positive change relating to nutrition in the country.
