Dhaka:The Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) has advocated for a universal Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) to cover all workers, including those in the informal sector, ensuring long-term financial security for workers and their families following workplace accidents.
According to United News of Bangladesh, BILS called on the government to implement the necessary laws and regulations to expand the scheme nationwide after its ongoing pilot project in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector concludes in 2027. At a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club, BILS representatives emphasized that one-time compensation was insufficient for families who lose their primary earners or whose members become disabled due to workplace accidents.
BILS highlighted the necessity of a sustainable compensation system to provide regular financial support to affected families, preventing poverty and economic hardship. They suggested that the current EIS model in the garment sector, which involves workers, employers, and the government, could be expanded to other industries following adequate evaluation and improvements.
The organization advocated for compensation aligned with the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Convention 121, arguing for long-term financial protection instead of one-time payments. BILS also recommended expanding the EIS to all workers, including those in the informal sector, through a universal legal framework post-pilot project.
Citing examples like the Rana Plaza Claims Administration and the Accord, BILS suggested Bangladesh could share its experiences with other countries in tripartite initiatives. They presented findings from newspaper reports on workplace accidents in the first half of 2026, noting 159 workers killed and 12 injured in the transport sector, the highest among surveyed sectors. BILS cautioned these figures might underestimate the actual casualty numbers.
With approximately 85 percent of the workforce in the informal sector, BILS stressed the importance of universal social protection for these workers. They pointed out gaps in the current social protection system, such as the exclusion of vulnerable groups, inadequate benefits, and limited urban poverty coverage.
Referring to the Labour Reform Commission's 2025 report, BILS highlighted the need for social protection against various risks, including workplace accidents, death, disability, illness, retirement, and maternity. They also called for the implementation of the Strategic Framework for National Social Security Strategy 2026-2030 and urged the media to raise awareness and build public support for a comprehensive social protection system to uphold workers' rights, safety, and dignity.