2nd inter-ministerial meeting on Shipbreaking policy

The radiation and pollution, those are spread by the unsafe and unplanned Shipbreaking practice, can not be accepted.

Very recently, on 13th Aprill'08, the 2nd inter-ministerial meeting,
regarding Shipbreaking policy, was held that was presided by the Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping. In the meeting he said, the
Policy will have to be finalized within one month. And it should be complied with the existing international commitment of Bangladesh. All those relevant literature regarding Shipbreaking should be studied. It is true that Shipbreaking industry is contributing the nation through supplying irons, he added. But because of this contribution, the radiation and pollution that is spread by the unsafe and unplanned
Shipbreaking practice can not be accepted.

In the meeting the Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment also joined. He said the labour law 2006 should be enforced. The policy should be formulated and enforced shortly. He also said that the Shipbreakers in Bangladesh has a very bad reputation for not complying any safety and environmental standards. They have to make a positive reputation to keep the business in Bangladesh. The meeting were also addressed by the representatives of all those relevant Govt. departments and bodies.

Most of the speakers were agreed that the 2nd draft of the Shipbreaking policy is not satisfactory. It should be developed in compliance with the Basel convention and all those guidelines (ILO, IMO, and SBC) also should be addressed. Considering the situation the Secretary of Ministry of Shipping suggested that an small working committee, besides the National Committee for Shibreaking Policy, should be developed to make the draft policy more effective.
After finalizing the draft by this Working Committee another Inter-ministerial Meeting will be held to check. Others formalities will be done after that.

It is my pleasure to inform you that YPSA is included in the Working Committee as an NGO representative. It seems to us that the Government is willing to make good policy for Shipbreaking which will ensure the workers' and environment safety. We need to keep the government motivated regarding their recent stand about the policy.

This is big achievement and great news for us, those who are working on the issue. This is expected that the policy will contribute to ensure the workers' rights and environmental safety. Earlier another inter-ministerial meeting, 19th July'07, was held where the first draft of the policy was provided. In that meeting the
National Committee for Shibreaking Policy was formed to make the Policy more informative. This committee set once and 2nd draft is prepared in the meeting. The committee has not set in last 7 month.