The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has started providing "Notice of Award" as compensation to workers in the EPZs under the new Employment Injury Scheme (EIS).

The compensation was handed over to three families at a ceremony held on Sunday at BEPZA complex in Dhaka, said a press release.

The compensation notice handed over in presence of Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, ndc, Executive Chairman of BEPZA, Mr. Max Tunon, Country Director (Designate) of the ILO, Dr. Michael Kroehn, representative of GIZ, and Md. Munir Hossain, Director General of the Central Fund and Bangladesh Workers’ Welfare Foundation, Md. Ashraful Kabir, Member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA.

Max Tunon, Country Director said that ILO will continue the support with the assistance of global buyers as a responsibility to the workers.

BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Ziaur Rahman said that the Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) in the EPZ is a very good initiative to protect the workers’ rights. BEPZA will continue and expansion of workers protection initiatives.

This project, launched in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), provides financial benefits for workers who suffer work-related deaths or permanent disabilities.

Two families of deceased workers from the Dhaka and Chattogram EPZs and one worker from the Cumilla EPZ with a work-related permanent disability received their Notice of Award. This will allow them to receive financial assistance on a monthly basis, similar to a pension.

The EIS is implemented with technical assistance from the ILO and the German development agency (GIZ), and funded by various international brands.

Earlier, the BEPZA a ‘Letter of Intent’ was signed on February 26, this year, between BEPZA, ILO, and GIZ to launch this initiative.

An endorsement committee, comprising representatives from BEPZA, investors, Workers' Welfare Associations (WWA), ILO, and GIZ, was subsequently formed. During its second meeting today, the committee reviewed applications and decided to grant the initial awards.