The labour ministry in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation on Tuesday launched an employment injury protection scheme in the readymade garment sector to provide income protection to the victims of work-related accidents and occupational diseases.

The government has decided to introduce an employment injury scheme (EIS) for the readymade garment sector workers from July this year.  

The labour and employment ministry agreed on this on Wednesday at a meeting with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Earlier, leaders of the Bangladesh Employers’ Federation (BEF) announced to introduce the scheme in writing on 31 May in Geneva. The government supported that on Wednesday.

The project will be launched in the first week of July on pilot basis. A bank account will be opened in a state-owned bank to be operated by a tripartite management committee.

A delegation comprising leaders of apparel industry associations in Bangladesh held a meeting with André Picard, chief technical adviser and head of the Actuarial Services Unit, and Anne-Marie La Rosa of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland on May 31.

The delegation included the President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Faruque Hassan, President of Employers Federation of Bangladesh (BEF) Ardashir Kabir, Executive President of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Mohammad Hatem, BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali, BGMEA Standing Committee Chair on ILO issue A N M Saifuddin and Secretary-General of BEF Farooq Ahmed.

They had discussions about various issues pertaining to the apparel industry of Bangladesh, particularly the progress made by the industry in compliance with ILO conventions ratified by the country.

They also discussed the employment injury insurance scheme for the RMG sector in Bangladesh.

The delegation apprised the ILO about the industry’s ongoing initiatives and programs including ILO’s Better Work Program in the RMG sector to promote decent working conditions in the garment factories.

They asserted the firm commitment of the industry to carrying forward the achievements made so far in ensuring a safe and decent workplace for workers and their rights and well-being.