Gazipur: Labour and Employment Ministry Secretary A H M Shafiquzzaman today stated that the 'Swapno' project is now serving as a model for protecting workers' health and nutrition. He expressed optimism about the project's potential to be expanded nationwide if it proves successful. The statement was made during his visit to assess the progress of the 'Swapno' project at the Creative Collection Limited factory, owned by Ha-Meem Group, located in Tongi, Gazipur.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Secretary Shafiquzzaman emphasized the importance of workers as the backbone of the country's economy and highlighted the need to extend similar initiatives to other industrial sectors to ensure workers' nutrition. During his visit, he engaged in discussions with the Nutrition Development Committee, comprising workers, officials, and factory owners, to evaluate the project's successes and challenges.
The Labour Secretary also interacted with 100 'Nutrition Friends'-workers' representatives who received training under the project-and listened to their experiences. He noted the prevalence of malnutrition among workers in many factories and urged an increase in efforts to ensure workers' good health, adding that the government can provide support in this area.
Later, Secretary Shafiquzzaman visited a fair price shop set up within the factory premises. He explored various stalls established with the technical assistance of GAIN, an organization committed to advancing nutrition outcomes by improving access to nutritious and safe food, particularly for those most vulnerable to malnutrition.
The visit was attended by the Director General of the Department of Labour, officials from the Gazipur district of the Department of Factories and Establishments Inspection, high-ranking officials from Ha-Meem Group, and other relevant stakeholders.