The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a roundtable in the city yesterday called for ensuring health security of the garments workers as many of them have been suffering from skin diseases, gastric, cough, cold, urinary tract infection, anaemia and nutritional problems.

They also urged the concerned authorities for improving the working environment of the garment labourers saying most of them have been facing the hazards of dust, noise pollution, excessive light and heat at their work places.

Doctors for Health and Environment organised the roundtable on "Health of the Garments Workers: Problems and Solution" at WVA auditorium at Dhanmondi. Dr SM Selimullah Sayed, Associate Professor of Occupation and Environmental Health Department of National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSAM), presented a research report at the meeting chaired by President of the forum Prof Rahsid-E-Mahbub.

Dr Mirzadi Sabrina Flora moderated the function while the forum's General Secretary Dr Shakeel Akther, Prof Mamunur Rashid, Prof Nazmun Nahar, Dr Mostak Hossain, Dr Fowzia Moslem, Dr Nasreen Bina Sikdar, Banhi Shekha Jamali, Dr MH Faruque, Dr Wazedul Islam Khan, Rita Barmon, garment workers Parul Akther and Nasima Akther addressed the roundtable.

The report suggested adequate toilet and drinking water facilities at work places for preventing urinary tract infection and rest for the workers to reduce work related stress and fatigue resulting from long working hours and over work. It also called for supplying foodstuffs to the workers at subsidised rate. Awareness on occupation health and nutrition and rational

wage structure will go a long way in warding off health hazards, the report added.

The report noted that about 67 per cent of the female workers and 30 per cent of male workers in the garment factories have been suffering from malnutrition.

The report was prepared on the basis of survey conducted last year on 850 workers in three factories.