Govt hailed for widening social safety net
Star Business Report
Sramik Nirapatta Forum, a platform of seventeen human rights organisations, on Tuesday hailed caretaker government as it expanded the social safety net, made provision for salary for the female workers enjoying maternity leave and earmarked a fund for the garment workers' welfare in the proposed budget for the 2007-2008 fiscal. The forum, however, expressed concern over increased tariff on industrial equipment and said it would have an adverse impact on foreign and domestic investment, also resulting in the economy's being loser in competitiveness. Consequently, industrial development of the country would be hampered and unemployment raised, said the forum leaders in their statement. They lamented that the proposed budget does not reflect the apparent commitment on reinvigorating the jute industry the caretaker government made on many occasions. Implementation of the budget is necessary in order to reach out the fruits to the target group, the forum leaders said, but the allocated money should properly be used. The fund for the welfare of garment workers was not well spent in the 2006-07 fiscal, they pointed out, suggesting a coordinated effort of government, employers, employees and concerned agencies and departments to yield positive results.
|
|
