A staggering 2.78 million workers die annually from workplace accidents or diseases globally, equating to one death every 15 seconds, while 374 million are injured each year, according to a 2019 International Labor Organization (ILO) report.
This crisis costs the global GDP 4 per cent annually. These alarming statistics were presented at the National Occupational Health and Safety Conference in Dhaka on Monday, April 28, organised by the Department of Factory and Establishment Inspection under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, in collaboration with the ILO.
Labour Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain attended the event as the chief guest, with Labour Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman as the special guest. Inspector General of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments Omar M Imrul Mohsin presided over the event where its Joint Inspector General Md Matiur Rahman delivered a keynote on ‘Occupational Health and Safety: National and International Perspectives,’ highlighting the ILO data.
In Bangladesh, 2023 saw 1,432 workplace deaths and 502 injuries. The informal sector reported 1,103 deaths, with the transport sector leading at 637 fatalities, followed by 149 in construction and 220 among daily wage workers.
Labour Advisor Sakhawat noted jurisdictional challenges, stating, “The Labour Ministry cannot work alone. Shipbuilding falls under the Industries Ministry, and no informal sector or construction firm is registered under the Labour Act.” He proposed that unregistered construction firms be barred from government tenders.
Labour Secretary Shafiquzzaman highlighted payment delays in factories, citing a garment factory unable to pay Tk 20 crore in wages and another failing to clear arrears by May 7.
“Where workers haven’t been paid for months or years, there are significant gaps,” he said, contrasting safer environments in pharmaceuticals or green factories with hazardous conditions in construction and shipbuilding. He stressed the need for better governance, questioning environmental clearances in polluted settings.
ILO Bangladesh Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen reaffirmed support for workplace safety, emphasising ILO Conventions 155 and 187 as frameworks for a safety culture. “Investing in prevention, evidence-based policies, and tripartite dialogue can protect workers’ rights and ensure decent work,” he said.
The event featured a panel discussion moderated by Poutiainen, with participants including Shafiquzzaman, Labour Reform Commission member Taslima Akhtar, Bangladesh Employers Federation CEO Farooq Ahmed, Bangladesh Business and Disability Network trustee Rupali Chowdhury, and Industrial Bangladesh Council’s China Rahman.