Improve workplace safety standards

The numbers of casualties and accidents at workplaces have both increased significantly in 2021 compared to 2020. According to a report–based on a Safety and Rights Society (SRS) survey– published in this newspaper on Saturday, at least 538 workers were killed in 399 workplace accidents across Bangladesh last year. The corresponding figures for 2020 were 432 and 373, respectively. The report points out that even though many workers could not work for about five months from April to August due to various pandemic-induced restrictions, the number of deaths from workplace accidents went up. The Safety and Rights Society arrived at their estimate based on reports from 15 national and 11 regional newspapers. So we can say that while the estimate is generally representative, it may not be 100 per cent accurate. There are observers who believe that the number of accidents and casualties might be even higher. It is clear from the report that the country stands in a poor position when it comes to ensuring workplace safety, a key component of a decent work agenda. And this apparent disregard for workplace safety is taking a heavy toll on the lives of workers.

According to the SRS survey, most deaths occurred in the transport sector, whereas many as 150 workers were killed. This is no surprise given the high number of road accidents. That the construction sector with 138 casualties comes, a close second is also unsurprising. Here is an area where workers are at the highest risk of falling from precarious perches they find themselves on. They are compelled to work on tall buildings or under gigantic structures in the most inconvenient manner imaginable.

In the shipbreaking industry, the import of old ships without pre-cleaning or the removal of toxic gases and dangerous materials from the ships often leads to explosions and puts workers' lives and health in jeopardy.

We often observe electricians working on electric poles without any safety measures. There are regular reports of workers dying in safety tanks on account of inhaling poisonous gas accumulated there. Such tragedies can be easily avoided if workers have access to gas masks and other necessary equipment.

A safe working environment is one of the fundamental rights of workers, and studies show that workplace safety benefits both workers and employers. Unfortunately, the authorities concerned have not been able to make the employers comply with the laws and regulations to provide for workplace safety. The sorry state of workplace safety indicates a serious lack of regular monitoring by the agencies concerned and slack enforcement of labour and other relevant laws.

Also, there is little awareness among workers and employers of labour rights and laws. One of the reasons why workplace accidents occur so frequently is that those responsible for these accidents are not held accountable or manage to escape through various loopholes that exist in our legal structure. Unfortunately, apart from a bit of rhetoric about investigations, a few messages of sympathy from leaders, and some compensation packages for victims' no meaningful changes follow a major industrial accident. Investigations into these accidents take years. Perpetrators are often never brought to justice, and issues are swept under the carpet. Unless exemplary punishments are meted out to those responsible, accidents will continue to occur, and workers will continue to die.

It is unfortunate that the lives of workers, particularly the contractual ones, are considered cheap in Bangladesh more often than not. Workers assigned to the riskiest jobs have no life insurance. In the informal sector – lathe operators or workers at plastic factories, for instance– do not have permanent employment. They are laid off when injured. In case of deaths, their families rarely receive any compensation. The Department for Inspection of Factories and Establishment (DIFE) must ensure that factories do not run without safety equipment. Insurance for workplace accidents should be made compulsory.