India: Ship breaking sector being brought under law: 1000-bed hospital planned at Ctg port

A 1000-bed hospital will be built at Chittagong seaport under Bangladesh-India joint venture for providing modern healthcare facilities to all sections of people, including port and shipping personnel. Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan yesterday disclosed the plan as part of comprehensive measures for the shipping sector, including legal cover for the growing ship-breaking industry and streamlining the waterway communications. He told reporters that a delegation would be sent to India on December 13 to finalize the hospital deal.
"The total estimated construction cost of the hospital is Tk 400 crore," the minister said. He said under the shipping-sector package programme, a committee would be formed soon to bring the spontaneously growing ship-breaking sector under the purview of law and increase the efficiency of its workers.
The committee will comprise representatives from the ministries of Industries, Labour and Employment, Expatriate Welfare, and Environment and Forest, the Minister said after International Labour Organisation (ILO) country director Panudda Boonpala met him at his office.
Panudda Boonpala handed to the minister a survey report on the ship-breaking workers' training, safety and facilitates. The survey was carried out by the UN agency.
"Ship-breaking sector plays an important role in the country's economy. Above 40,000 workers engaged themselves in this sector. The countries which have no ship-breaking yard send their ship into our county for breaking their ships," the minister said while talking to the newsmen.
About the laws of launch and ship breaking, he said the laws would be amended and actions taken against the law-breakers.
He said alarm system will be introduced in launches so that it could be understood whether the launches are overloaded or not.
About the findings on the disastrous launch accident in Bhola, Shajahan Khan said they would not conceal the findings like in the past. All will be published through the media.
He said the investigation time for the ferry accident has been extended by three days.
Shipping Secretary M Abdul Mannan Howlader was present in the briefing session.