Labour Ministry, ILO launch pilot ‘Employment Injury Scheme’

International Labour Organization ILO in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) officially launched the pilot of an Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) Project, aiming to provide income protection to victims of work-related accidents and occupational diseases.

Lawmaker and Advisor to Prime Minister Salman F Rahman inaugurated the launch ceremony of the pilot programme in presence of MoLE Secretary Md Ehsan-E- Elahi, ILO Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen, and higher officials from the German, Norway and Netherlands Embassy, read an ILO press release on Wednesday.

Senior representatives from BGMEA, BKMEA, Workers’ Associations, development partners and other national stakeholders also participated in the ceremony held in a hotel in Dhaka.

Employment injury protection is one of the nine branches of Social Protection recognised by ILO for all workers under its Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102). It is expected that through this successful pilot, the workers and their families will be under an improved income protection system, the press release added.

The speakers at the event welcomed the project idea and shared their opinions on the initiative. The Chief Guest Salman F Rahman said, “Social Security is high on the agenda of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”

At the inauguration event, ILO Bangladesh Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen highlighted ILO’s approach towards improved social protection for workers in Bangladesh.

“The launch of ‘Employment Injury Protection’ scheme for RMG Workers in Bangladesh is an important and historic step in strengthening accident protection in the country,” Tuomo said.  

“ILO is happy to support this effort and work with the Government, Employers and Workers to create a modern and contemporary compensation system for workers and their families that protect their incomes and living when they need it the most,” he added.  

“It is a historical day for as we launch the first-ever social insurance scheme, as envisioned in the ‘National Social Security Strategy’,” MoLE Secretary Md Ehsan-E-Elahi stated.

Speaking at the event, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said, “The pilot of the ‘Employment Injury Scheme’ will contribute to the social well-being of workers and employers and above all improvement of the country's social security system.”

The National Coordination Committee for Workers' Education (NCCWE) President Shamim Ara, Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands First Secretary Bas Blaauw, and German Embassy Head of Development Cooperation Johannes Schneider also spoke at the event.