Awareness Campaigns: Promoting Occupational Health, Safety, and Empowerment in the Shipbreaking Industry
Raising awareness among shipbreaking workers is a vital part of YPSA’s Green Ship Recycling Project. Located along the coastal belt of Sitakunda in Chattogram, the shipbreaking industry employs thousands of workers in one of the world’s most labor-intensive and hazardous sectors. The nature of the work—such as dismantling heavy steel structures and handling toxic substances—demands a high level of awareness about occupational health and safety (OHS).
YPSA organizes regular awareness campaigns aimed at enhancing workers’ understanding of their health and safety rights, while also promoting safe practices across the industry. These events are strategically held in shipyards, labor colonies, and public gathering areas to ensure broad participation from the worker community.
A central focus of these campaigns is on occupational health and safety. Workers are educated about:
- Safe handling and removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials
- Best practices for ship dismantling procedures
- Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Emergency rescue and first aid techniques
- Prevention of chronic illnesses and injury due to prolonged exposure to harmful elements
These campaigns also address broader aspects of workers’ lives, contributing to their overall wellbeing. Topics covered include:
- Dengue prevention, hygiene, and sanitation
- Mobile banking literacy for secure financial transactions
- Monthly savings plans and money management
- Workers’ legal rights, access to social protection, and grievance redress mechanisms
YPSA believes that raising awareness is key to empowering workers to advocate for safe and decent working conditions. By equipping them with knowledge and resources, the organization helps workers take a proactive role in safeguarding their own health and asserting their rights within the workplace.
To date, YPSA has conducted awareness campaigns reaching approximately 1,122 workers. However, many workers in the shipbreaking industry remain unaware of their occupational rights and the services available to them. Expanding the reach of these campaigns is a top priority to ensure that all workers have the tools they need to work safely and live with dignity.
Through its awareness efforts, YPSA continues to build a more responsible and resilient ship recycling sector—where occupational health and safety is not an afterthought, but a fundamental right.