Workplace accidents in Bangladesh’s informal sectors have increased, despite a decrease in such incidents in formal sectors, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety measures and compliance across all industries.

A total of 1,432 workplace fatalities were recorded in 2023, with the highest number — 1,103 deaths — occurring in the informal sector. Additionally, 502 workplace injuries were reported throughout the same year.

The most high-risk sectors included transport, which accounted for 637 deaths, followed by 220 day labourers and 149 deaths in the construction sector.

Md Matiur Rahman, Joint Inspector General of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), presented these statistics, compiled by the OSHE Foundation, at the OSH Conference 2025.

The event, titled ‘Transforming Occupational Safety and Health (OSH): The Future of OSH in Bangladesh,’ was held at a city hotel on Monday.

The conference was jointly organised by the DIFE under the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the International Labour Organization (ILO), to mark National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Day 2025.

Speaking at the event, Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, head of the Labour Reform Commission, said that while the number of workplace accidents in the formal sector has decreased, the opposite is true in the informal sector.

Expressing concern over the situation, he noted that the number of accidents in the informal sector was also higher in 2024. He added that the required transformation in this area must recognise all workers, which would ensure many basic rights.

‘Occupational safety is a fundamental human right — not a matter of negotiation. Without ensuring this right, industrial sustainability is impossible,’ he added.

Labour Adviser M Shakhawat Hossain said that whenever a crisis hits the industrial sector, no one takes responsibility, leaving key officials adrift without direction.

‘Whenever a crisis arises, no one is around,’ he said, raising questions about the availability of the tripartite mechanism, and stressed the need for effective teamwork during times of crisis.

He also called for better coordination between the labour ministry and other ministries to address labour and safety-related issues.

He said that although they have been in charge for seven months, the crises they have encountered did not emerge overnight.

Citing examples, he mentioned that in many garment factories, workers’ wages have been pending for anywhere from six months to three years.

He also referred to a situation where representatives from British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BAT) came to him regarding the dismissal of workers that took place in 2019.

He informed BAT that they must comply with the law of the land.

On the subject of informal sectors, he stressed that these must be brought under regulation, although he acknowledged the difficulty of the task.

‘If the construction sector and other hazardous sectors do not come under the labour ministry’s registration, they won’t receive any government contracts,’ he warned.

Labour Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman said that the Labour Reform Commission had made a number of recommendations, and they were committed to following them in order to bring standards to the international level.

He also welcomed the time-bound action plan proposed at the event to ensure occupational safety and health (OSH) at workplaces.

Tuomo Poutiainen, ILO Bangladesh Country Director, said that Bangladesh has made significant progress in promoting a culture of OSH in workplaces, and the ILO supports the country in its journey towards safer and healthier workplaces.

To create a culture of OSH, he said, the ILO’s fundamental Conventions, including Convention No 155 on Occupational Safety and Health and Convention No 187 on the Promotional Framework, provide a robust framework to support ongoing efforts.

He said that investing in preventive strategies, data-driven policies, and tripartite dialogue will be essential in protecting workers’ rights and ensuring decent work for all.

Md Imrul Mohsin, Inspector General of DIFE, said that owners, workers, and the government often view each other as opponents, and this mindset must be changed.

Two panel discussions were moderated by Tuomo Poutiainen.

During the discussions, speakers stressed the effective implementation of labour laws and the ratification of ILO Conventions 155, 187, and 190 to ensure OSH at workplaces.

Faruque Ahmed, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Employers’ Federation (BEF), emphasised the need to implement occupational safety standards in the informal sector, proposing the formulation of a time-bound action plan rather than endless discussions.

Rupali Chowdhury, Trustee of the Bangladesh Business and Disability Network, pointed out that although laws exist, their implementation is lacking due to a lack of awareness about the rules and their enforcement.

Chaina Rahman, a labour leader, noted that women in the ready-made garment sector face various forms of harassment, both at work and outside, which impacts their mental well-being.