Public Health on Top

The production rise of a toxic product like tobacco by extending regular working hour of tobacco labourer and its relation with public interest is incomprehensible. The tobacco workers are under great health risks of every level of tobacco production. When they will work for 10 hours instead of eight hours, it will cause both their health and financial damages. Increased tobacco production causes extended tobacco-related deaths which also benefits tobacco company.But tobacco control is almost impossible where the tobacco companies are benefitted. Recently a circular has been issued from the Ministry of Labour and Manpower by relaxing the sections 100, 102, 104, 105 and 114 (1) based on some conditions for the British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB). The circular was issued for public interest on September 21, 2016.
Though the labor law allows workers to work for 48 hours in a week but BATB, with the support of the circular, can compel its workers to work for 60 hours in a week. Besides, the company has been released from the obligation of section 104 that refers to complimentary weekly leave (if any staff is deprived of the weekly holiday then the similar types of leaves will be provided), and section 114 (1) (the rule of closing the factory for one and half a week). Instead, the company will provide a single holiday to each of its staffs. By the same time, the company has been relieved from the obligation of applying 10 hours in a day including the extensive one hour for lunch and rest in the day. Moreover, the circular also informs that the staffs who will work willingly for extra hours will be provided with a double wage. The circular, after the authorization power of the Labour Ministry based on the Bangladesh Labor Law, 2006 Section 324 Sub Section (1) and Sub Section (2), adds that the flexibility on BATB will be effective for next six months (25 September, 2016 – 17 March, 2017). The relief period is the season of tobacco farming in the country and BATB has managed the flexibility so to use the staffs for engaging them in to work for more hours. BATB donates a smart amount of money as donation at the Labour Welfare Foundation under the Labour Ministry. Besides, the labour Secretary has been appointed as an independent director at BATB from March of this year. Following such links, BATB can get such flexibilities.
Besides, tricky advertisements of tobacco products are notable across the country. Such illegal advertisements will be stopped when the law is enforced properly.