BEPZA to introduce employment injury scheme

The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) is going to introduce a project named "Employment Injury Scheme (EIS)" in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to provide financial benefits to workers in the garment sector of Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in case of death or permanent physical disabilities due to workplace incidents.

In this regard, a "Letter of Intent" was signed today (26 February) at the BEPZA Executive Office, among BEPZA, ILO, and GIZ, according to a press release.

Through the EIS project, workers in the garment sector of EPZs will receive a specified financial benefit every month in the case of death or permanent disability resulting from an accident that occurs at the workplace or while commuting to and from the workplace.

Initially, this project will benefit workers in the garment sector, but it will be extended gradually to workers in other sectors.

It is noteworthy that a similar project, named "EIS-Pilot," was initiated in the garment sector of the country in June 2022, and now this "Letter of Intent" has been signed to extend the programme to EPZs. The project will be implemented through BEPZA with technical assistance from ILO and GIZ, and financial support from international brand buyers.

During the signing ceremony of the "Letter of Intent," BEPZA's Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman praised the initiative of introducing the EIS project for EPZ workers and said, "This project will strengthen the social protection of workers in EPZs, contributing to sustainable industrial growth in Bangladesh."

He further emphasised that the project would enhance and expand the social protection programmes for EPZ workers in alignment with international standards.

The BEPZA executive chairman also mentioned that hospitals or medical centres have been set up in various EPZs to ensure free healthcare services for the workers, along with day-care centres for the care of workers' children.

Furthermore, BEPZA-run schools provide subsidised education for the children of EPZ workers. BEPZA also conducts various awareness activities related to health protection for workers.

The chairman thanked ILO, GIZ, and international brand buyers for their cooperation in implementing this project in EPZs.

Tuomo Poutiainen, country director of ILO, expressed his satisfaction with BEPZA's participation in the EIS project and said, "This is a very good step for worker welfare. I thank BEPZA's investors because they will be the ones to implement it. I am hopeful for the success of this project."

During the event, Anne Marie La Rosa, senior technical expert of the EIS pilot project, presented the overall details of the EIS through a PowerPoint presentation.

Currently, BEPZA operates eight EPZs across the country, along with the BEPZA Economic Zone in Mirsharai, Chattogram.

Additionally, the development of two more EPZs in Patuakhali and Jashore has started. Since its inception, BEPZA has played a crucial role in the national economy of Bangladesh. BEPZA hosts 451 industrial enterprises, with 5,26,000 workers employed. To date, the total investment in the EPZs has amounted to US$6.93 billion, and total exports have reached US$115.61 billion.

Among others, Stoyanka Stich, deputy country director of GIZ Bangladesh, her associate Silvia Popp, Rushan Afroz, adviser to GIZ Bangladesh, Shafiqul Islam, adviser of the EIS special unit, Andre Picard from the ILO Geneva mission, Saad Gilani from ILO Dhaka, along with representatives from ILO Dhaka and Geneva, GIZ representatives, EPZ investors, brand buyer representatives, and senior officials from BEPZA were present at the event.