The number of workplace fatalities in Bangladesh has sharply increased in the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, according to a latest survey conducted by the non-profit organization Safety and Rights Society (SRS).
The survey, which analyzed data from 15 national and 11 local newspapers, revealed that a staggering 475 workers lost their lives in 420 separate workplace accidents from January 1 to June 30, 2024.
In contrast, during the corresponding period in 2023, 389 workers were reported killed in 287 accidents, marking a troubling increase in both the number of accidents and fatalities.
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The transport sector emerged as the deadliest, with 250 fatalities reported, followed by service establishments (such as workshops, gas, electricity supply establishments, etc.) with 74 deaths, agriculture with 66 deaths, construction with 52 deaths, and factories and other manufacturing institutes with 33 deaths.
The survey identified road accidents as the leading cause of death, claiming 310 lives, including workers in the transport sector and accidents during commutes to and from workplaces.
Electrical accidents accounted for 52 deaths, followed by fatalities due to lightning (51), falls (23), and incidents involving heavy objects (15). Other causes included exposure to chemicals, drowning, fires, explosions, and structural collapses.
Sekender Ali Mina, Executive Director of SRS, expressed deep concern over the rising fatalities, attributing them to inadequate safety measures and lax enforcement of labor laws in the informal sectors. Mina emphasized the urgent need for increased supervision by authorities to curb workplace accidents, particularly in sectors like transport, agriculture, construction, and manufacturing.
Mina urged government bodies to adopt stringent safety guidelines, conduct thorough risk assessments, and implement effective mitigation strategies. He stressed the pivotal roles of employers in providing necessary safety equipment and training for workers and of government agencies in ensuring compliance with safety standards through rigorous inspections.
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Under Bangladesh's labor laws, employers are mandated to provide personal protective equipment and maintain safe working conditions, while workers are expected to adhere to safety protocols. SRS highlighted its ongoing efforts to raise awareness about occupational safety through training sessions and advocacy, as well as providing legal assistance to families seeking compensation through the Bangladesh Sramik Kalyan Foundation.