With nearly 40,000 farming households and 55,000 skilled labourers directly engaged in salt production and more than 500,000 workers involved in the broader value chain nationwide, the salt sector remains a vital source of rural employment and economic activity in Bangladesh.
A National Consultation on ‘Improving Working Conditions and Increasing Productivity of Salt Sector in Bangladesh’ was successfully held today at the Eden Grand Ballroom, Amari Dhaka. The event marks an important milestone in a shared efforts to promote the salt sector as a sustainable livelihood and economic venture in Bangladesh by improving working conditions through adoption of occupational safety and health (OSH) measures and simultaneously advocating for increasing the productivity by promoting standardization.
The event, hosted under the “Salt and Seaweed Market Systems Development” initiative of the Leaving No One Behind: Improving Skills and Economic Opportunities for Women and Youth in Cox’s Bazar (ISEC) project, brought together key stakeholders to review achievements and map out a path for sectoral expansion.
Funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and led by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the project is being implemented by Innovision Consulting and has already trained 185 workers and farmers received training on Occupational Health and Safety and 444 beneficiaries received medical support, as MoUs were signed with 2 hospitals and 6 salt mills in Cox’s Bazar.
In the opening remarks, Mr. Kazi Shahed Hasan Ferdous, Country Director of Innovision Consulting, emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration to improve the working conditions and economic opportunities for salt producers: “We’ve made progress, but much remains to be done. Your strategies and insights today will help us shape a better future for the sector.”
Ms. Ruchika Bahl, Head of ILO Sub-Office in Cox’s Bazar presented on a comprehensive skills and livelihood development initiative in Cox’s Bazar, targeting women, NEET youth, returnee migrants, ethnic and religious minorities, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and ultra-poor households. She mentioned that the ISEC project aims to equip these groups with employable skills through BNQF-aligned training, reskilling, upskilling, apprenticeships, and recognition of prior learning (RPL).
Presenting project findings, Ms. Tasmiah Tabassum Rahman, Portfolio Director at Innovision, noted that despite the salt sector’s natural advantages, regulatory gaps and infrastructure shortfalls hinder value addition and global competitiveness.
A market assessment presented by Dr. Mohammad Gulzarul Aziz from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) stressed the urgent need for improved salt purity and modernization of salt-based industries. “High processing losses, poor management, and limited farmer education are barriers. We must coordinate public and private actions over the short, mid, and long term,” he noted.
During a panel discussion on marketing diversification, several industry leaders called for enhanced salt quality and value chain investments:
- Sorwar Hossen, Chief of Salt Cell at BSCIC, acknowledged structural inefficiencies and emphasized the need to address purity and moisture levels in raw salt.
- Firoz Alam Talukder of Apex Footwear highlighted price volatility as a key challenge. He said, “Pure salt would reduce processing waste and add value to leather products.”
- Jisan Rahman from ACI Limited stressed proper harvesting practices to improve NaCl levels and market competitiveness.
- Dewan Mahbub Kamran of Pretty Composite Textiles emphasized the vast industrial demand for sodium chloride and called for better regulatory enforcement.
- Abed Ahsan Sagar, Director from Cox’s Bazar Chamber of Commerce proposed establishing local processing zones to cut transportation costs and reduce waste.
Special Guest Md. Munir Hossain Khan, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, pledged support through the Bangladesh Labour Welfare Foundation. “We offer support for health, education, and funeral costs, but more awareness and public-private collaboration are necessary,” he said.
A dedicated session on worker well-being shed light on the harsh realities faced by salt farmers and laborers:
- Salt farmer Delwar Hossain shared, “We suffer from dehydration, poor sanitation, and unpredictable income. More consistent healthcare and safety initiatives are vital.”
- Ron Johnson, Technical Specialist, Labour Inspection and OSH, ILO underscored the need for engineering and automation solutions beyond basic PPE. “Workers must know their rights to advocate for better conditions,” he said.
- Saad Gilani, Project Manager of the EIS Project at ILO, emphasized the critical need to include the salt sector under the Bangladesh Labour Act. He noted that investing in workers yields high returns, $3.98 for every $1 spent, and called for broader recognition of occupational diseases beyond the current 13–14 listed. He urged the government and stakeholders to raise awareness of workers’ rights and ensure comprehensive legal protections for salt sector laborers.
Chief Guest Md. Obaidur Rahman, Secretary, Ministry of Industries, called salt “white gold” and committed to reforms: “We must prioritize health, inclusion, microcredit, and modern technology to strengthen the salt sector.” He particularly mentioned about including Salt workers under Bangladesh Labour Rights.
The consultation closed with optimism as Ruchika Bahl reaffirmed ILO’s commitment to supporting coordination, self-reliance, and sustainable improvements. “Today marks a milestone in aligning all stakeholders for a better future,” she concluded.
Please access the full presentation on the National Consultation on Improving Working Conditions and Increasing Productivity of Salt Sector in Bangladesh:
National Consultation on Improving Working Conditions and Increasing Productivity of Salt Sector in BangladeshSeaweed for a Resilient and Empowered Community: The experience of ILO ISEC Project
Please access the full presentation on Diversified Salt Industries and Niche Salt-based Products: