The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has moved to introduce employment injury insurance scheme in Bangladesh in view of rising number of factory accidents in recent times, officials said. The move came after the deadly Rana Plaza collapse and Tazreen Fashions fires in the garment industry killed more than 1,200 workers, exposing the vulnerabilities of workers, they said. The insurance scheme, at the first stage, is aimed at covering workers of readymade garment industry (RMG), which will later be expanded into other factories, said a labour ministry official. The ILO will soon launch a feasibility study on the scheme and in this regard, a three-member delegation of the world body will visit Bangladesh next week to meet stakeholders including workers, employers and government agencies. “After the fatal incidents in Rana Plaza and Tazreen Fashions, the compensation process could be introduced in Bangladesh. Now, the ILO thinks that insurance coverage of workers against injury in workspaces should be there,” said an official. He said in most cases, owners insure only their factories and assets there. In some cases, it was found that an owner goes for insurance for one factory and some workers of a group of companies. “Now the ILO wants every worker of factories to be insured and get compensation in case of any incident,” he added. He said employers will be responsible to pay premium for the proposed injury scheme. Initially, a pilot project will be taken after consultation with workers, employers, and the government before making it compulsory. According to the draft terms of reference of the study forwarded by the ILO to the government, the scheme aims to provide workers temporary disability benefits, permanent disability and survival benefits, health care for injured and disabled workers as well as physical and vocational rehabilitation. Vice president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Shahidullah Azim told the FE Thursday that garment workers are covered under life insurance and they get compensation in case of incidents. He said if any worker is injured in workplace, the factory owner bears the treatment cost. “In case of death of any worker while on work, his or her heirs get Tk 0.2 million from insurance companies.” Mr Azim said life insurance of workers is mandatory for every factory to get services from the BGMEA as well as other benefits from the government. “The workers of garment factories in Rana Plaza and Tazreen Fashions were also covered by life insurance and they got compensation from the insurance company,” he said.
Source: https://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2015/05/01/91001
