The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza), in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), today inaugurated the distribution of notices of award under the Employment Injury Scheme (EIS).

 The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has stressed the urgent need to update the Bangladesh Labour Act (BLA) to ensure the nationwide implementation of the Employment Injury Scheme (EIS). Key reforms include making the EIS mandatory with employers contribution, penalising non-participation, and enabling digital accident reporting.

Pioneered in the export-oriented garment industry, Bangladesh's pilot employment injury scheme has this year been extended to workers in the export-processing zones (EPZs) and the leather goods and footwear industry. It is now set to be scaled up nationally.

A momentous signing ceremony was hosted by Leathergoods And Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) on Monday, May 19, 2025, marking the official launch of three groundbreaking initiatives: the Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) Pilot, the Simon Project, and Labor Law Compliance and Productivity Industry Preparedness Program (IPP). These projects represent a significant stride toward strengthening workplace safety, occupational health, and social and environmental compliance in Bangladesh’s leathergoods and footwear industry.