Bangladesh Government's report to the ILO, and the Committee's responses, 1984-2001 on levelss of inspectors and inspections


Government Report, 1984
There is acute shortage of inspecting staff in comparison with the number of factories and establishments of the country and the number of workers employed therein.

Government Report, 1985
In order to strengthen the inspection department the Government created 4 posts of Asst Inspector (general), 4 posts of Labour Inspector (general) and 15 posts of Inspector (shops and establishments).

Committee Direct Request, 1986
The Committee takes note of the information supplied by the Government in reply to its earlier comments. It notes in particular that in view of the number of workplaces and the workers employed in these workplace, the number of inspector is not sufficient. It therefore requests the government to state the measures that it intends to adopt in order to increase the numbers of inspector so that all workplace may be visited regularly.

Government Report, 1987
There are proposals for expanding the Dept of Inspection for Factories and Establishments both in size and equipments.
The difficulties due to inadequate officers, staff, transport and equipment will be removed gradually. The Government has an intention to expand the Department of Inspection for Factories.
Shortage of officers and staff in comparison with the number of factories and establishments causes practical difficulties in inspection.

Government Report, 1988
The expansion of the Department of Inspection could not be initiated due to financial constraints.

Government Report, 1991
The Government is keen to expand the Department of Inspection of Factories; but it has not been possible to take measures to strengthen the Department owing to financial constraint. A project under the annual development programme 1991-2 to obtain equipment for inspection activities is under process. A proposals from the Bangladesh Employers Association to amend the Factories Rules 1979, so as to authorise qualified engineers of the Association to conduct inspection of factories and thus supplements the efforts of the Inspectors, awaits review and adoption.

Committee Direct Request, 1992
Further to its previous comments the Committee notes the information provided in the Annual report for the year 1988 of the Department of Inspector for Factories and Establishment. In addition, the Government states that, although it is keen to expand the labour inspectorate, this has not been possible because of financial constraints. The Committee will continue to provide information on developments, bearing in mind the Convention’s requirements.
Government Report, 1993

The expansion scheme for the Department of Inspector for Factories and establishment is under consideration by the Government and two schemes [including] … strengthening the Department for inspection. …

Committee Direct Request, 1994
Further to its previous comments the committee notes from the Government’s report that it is currently studying two schemes for the expansion of the labour inspectorate by strengthening the Department of Inspector, and by instituting a training programme on health analysis and prevention. It notes from the 1992 annual inspection report that the number of inspector has remained unchanged which there has been a steady growth in the number of new shops liable to inspection. While the Committee notes the improvement in the efficiency of inspection and the growth in the number of cases brought to courts, it hoped the government will still increase the number of inspectors to ensure that inspections of workplaces are as often and as thorough as is necessary.

Government Report, 1995
Since independent of Bangladesh, rapid growth of small and medium sized industrial and commercial establishment have taken place. Naturally duties and responsibilities of the department of inspector for factories and establishment have increased manifold. So a proposal for expansion of the department of inspector for factories and establishments has been submitted to the authority concerned and that expansion proposal is under active consideration of the service reorganisation committee formed by the Government. This expansion programme, if materialised, will help increase number of inspectors which will in turn increase the number and frequency of inspection.

Committee Direct Request, 1995
Further to its previous comments the committee notes with interest the indication in the Government most recent report that due to the increase in the workload of the labour inspectorate, a proposal to expand the inspection services is under active consideration by a committee set up by the Government. The committee hopes these developments will result in permitting the government to take the necessary measures to expand the staff of the inspectorate and thus increase the number and frequency of inspections. Please provide full particulars with the next report

Government Report, 1997
In recent years with gradual diversification and expansion in the private sector the number of industries and establishment have steadily increased. During the year 1997, the number of registered factories stood at 17,816. Beside the two sea ports and 157 tea gardens , number of shops and establishment brought within the purview of the Shops and Establishment Act 1965 have stood at 168119. The department of inspection for Factories and Establishment, entrusted with the responsibility for enforcement of 46 labour law, rules and regulations can hardly cope up with the volume of inspection jobs with a meagre strength of 103 inspectors of different categories including the Chief Inspectors of Factories and Establishment. Considering the need for strengthening the inspection machinery, govt of Bangladesh approved a development project under the name of ‘strengthening the department of inspection for factories and establishment. This project started functions since July 1992 with 10 inspectors (4 doctors and 6 engineers) and 16 staff. The government of Bangladesh have brought this project within the fold of the revenue budget in financial year 1997.

Committee Direct Request, 1997
Further to its previous comments the committee notes with interest the indication in the Government’s most recent report that due to the increase in the workload of the labour inspectorate, a proposal to expand the inspection services is under active consideration by a committee set up by the Government. The Committee hopes these developments will result in permitting the Government to take the necessary measures to expand the staff of the inspectorate and thus increase the number and frequency of inspections.

Committee Direct Request, 2000
The Committee notes the information in the Government’s report in reply to its previous comments. It notes that the number of registered factories, shops and establishment, which are liable to inspection, has been continuously increased, while the number of inspectors has remained unchanged since 1992 (103 inspectors). Noting that the Government’s most recent report supplies no information on measures taken or envisaged with regard to the increased of inspection staff to which the Government referred in previous report, the Committee requests the Government to provide full particulars in this regard.

Government Report, 2001
the government is keen to expand the inspectorate of Factories and Establishment; but it has not been possible to take measures to strengthen the Inspectorate owing to financial constraints. A proposal from Bangladesh Employers Federation to involve them in inspection activities supplementing the efforts of the inspectors awaits review and adoption.