On 17 January 2025, Innovision Consulting, under the Cox’s Bazar Salt and Seaweed Market Systems Development project, initiated a series of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) training sessions for salt crushing mill workers and salt farmers in Eidgaon Upazilla, Cox’s Bazar. This initiative is part of the broader Improving Skills and Economic Opportunities for the Women and Youth in Cox’s Bazar (ISEC) project, led by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The training aims to enhance workplace safety, improve health standards, and promote fair labor practices among salt workers in the region.
The OSH training, facilitated by the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) and the National Coordination Committee for Workers’ Education (NCCWE), will also be conducted in other major salt hubs of Cox’s Bazar, including Moheshkhali, Teknaf, and Cox’s Bazar Sadar. To complement the training and maximize workers’ well-being, Innovision is organizing medical campaigns in all locations, with Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Cox’s Bazar, providing doctors and on-the-spot pathological test support.
Key Components of the OSH Training Program:
- Workplace Safety Measures: Covered physical injury prevention, vision protection, respiratory health, allergy management, infection control, machine-related safety, and ergonomic practices.
- Health and Well-being: Included guidance on posture management, stress management, social safety, and fair compensation practices.
- Medical Camps: Offered health assessments, blood and urine tests, and treatment for common health issues such as skin diseases, musculoskeletal pain, diabetes, kidney problems, and cataracts.
On the first day of the training, 30 mill workers from Shahriar Salt Crushing Mill and Majeda Salt Crushing Mill participated in the OSH sessions. Simultaneously, the medical camp served 72 salt mill workers from Islampur, Eidgaon Upazilla. All participants received a health card, enabling them to access discounted medical services at Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Fouad Al-Khateeb Hospital, and Eidgaon Adhunik Hospital in Cox’s Bazar.
This initiative is part of Innovision’s ongoing efforts to address critical challenges in Cox’s Bazar’s salt and seaweed sectors. By improving occupational safety, health standards, and labor practices, the project aims to empower marginalized groups, including women, youth, minorities, and people with disabilities, while fostering a more resilient and inclusive market system.
Innovision’s commitment to collaboration, fair practices, and productivity enhancement is paving the way for a safer, healthier, and more prosperous future for the salt workers of Cox’s Bazar. Together, we are building a sustainable economic landscape where the salt industry becomes a key driver of local and national growth.
Stay tuned as we continue this transformative journey!