NOVEMBERASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK9NEWSROOMSINGAPORE'S CONSTRUCTION SECTOR INITIATES TWO-WEEK SAFETY TIME-OUTIndia's Adani Power has significantly reduced its electricity supply to Bangladesh, cutting it down to around 520 MW from about 1,400-1,500 MW in early August. This decision comes as Adani Power seeks to recover over $800 million in unpaid dues from Bangladesh, primarily related to its 1,600 MW Godda plant in Jharkhand, which supplies power to Dhaka.Despite efforts by Bangladesh to address the payment issues--such as opening a $170 million letter of credit for Adani--Bangladesh has still been receiving a reduced supply. The government has expedited payments, and a Nov. 7 payment deadline previously imposed by Adani was lifted. However, the ongoing cuts reflect both Bangladesh's financial strain, caused by expensive fuel and goods imports exacerbated by the Ukraine war, and the gradual nature of the payment process.Bangladesh's Power and Energy Adviser, Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, indicated that the country would seek alternative measures to ensure the power supply is not fully halted, asserting that it will not allow any power supplier to hold them hostage. Despite the payments being accelerated, Adani Power has not responded to media queries regarding the specific details of the payment reductions or adjustments. The situation reflects the broader financial difficulties Bangladesh faces amid political instability and economic challenges. In response to recent fatal incidents in the construction sector and the approach of the festive season, construction companies are urged to implement a two-week safety timeout from Nov 8 to Nov 22. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM), along with the Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce and industry associations, made the call on Thursday, highlighting a worrying trend in workplace safety. From July to October, the sector recorded 10 fatalities, which MOM says indicates a reduced focus on safety standards.With the festive season approaching, MOM stresses the importance of vigilance as companies may face pressure to meet project deadlines before workers go on leave. During the timeout, senior management is encouraged to engage with site teams, review safety protocols, and address any safety concerns.A safety timeout is a period where companies pause regular operations to assess and enhance their workplace safety and health systems. Following the review, companies should implement updates and maintain strong safety practices.Based on recent incidents, MOM has advised companies to focus on three critical safety areas: preventing accidents from falling objects, ensuring vehicular safety, and maintaining safe lifting and rigging practices. ADANI PROCEEDS TO TERMINATE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO BANGLADESH
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