Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) is planning to establish a fund to ensure payment of wages and benefits to workers of factories that shut down or suspend operations.

The authority has yet to decide who would contribute to the fund.

BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman on Sunday said that many factories often fail to continue operations or close due to various reasons, leaving workers’ dues unpaid for months.

‘To resolve this crisis, we are working to raise a fund so that workers can receive their due wages and benefits even if the factory is unable to pay,’ he said.

He made the remarks at the ‘Notice of Award Ceremony of the Employment Injury Scheme’ organised by BEPZA in association with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and GIZ at the BEPZA office in Dhaka.

The BEPZA chief also said that a revision of the EPZ Labour Act is under way, with new sections being introduced to strengthen worker welfare and protect their rights.

For the first time, BEPZA launched the EIS Pilot in February 2025 in cooperation with the ILO, GIZ, brands, and buyers.

Through the scheme, BEPZA aims to offer reliable social protection to workers in readymade garment factories within its zones.

Under the scheme, any deceased or permanently injured worker due to a workplace incident will receive financial benefits as a monthly entitlement, similar to pensions.

The EIS provides an additional safety net alongside existing benefits that deceased or injured workers receive under the law.

On Sunday, families of two deceased workers from the Dhaka and Chattogram EPZs, and one permanently disabled worker from the Cumilla EPZ, received their notices of award.

Abul Kalam said the scheme would be expanded to cover industries producing diverse products.

‘Our long-term vision is clear: no worker shall be left behind in the pursuit of inclusive social protection,’ he said.

He described the notice of award as ‘a solemn symbol of our unwavering commitment to stand beside our workers during their most vulnerable moments.’

Max Tunon, Country Director (designated) of ILO Bangladesh, said that while no financial support could replace a life, timely compensation provided families with the stability needed to rebuild.

‘The ILO remains fully committed to working with BEPZA and partners to expand and strengthen this scheme so more workers in Bangladesh might benefit,’ he added.

Michael Klode, representative of GIZ, said the scheme reflected a shared responsibility for protecting workers and employers alike.

Md Munir Hossain Khan, Director General of the Central Fund of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said the initiative demonstrated how the government, employers, workers, and international partners could unite to build a safer and more inclusive labour market.

Md Ashraful Kabir, Member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA, delivered the welcome speech at the ceremony.

According to BEPZA, it currently operates eight EPZs across the country, along with the BEPZA Economic Zone at Mirsharai in Chattogram.

Two new EPZs in Patuakhali and Jashore are under development. As of August 2025, BEPZA hosted 454 enterprises employing about 550,000 workers, with total investment reaching $7.14 billion and cumulative exports of $120.46 billion.