DHAKA - Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing has announced its support for a new International Labour Organization (ILO) initiative to enhance social security protection for garment workers in Bangladesh.

Fast Retailing is backing the Employment Injury Scheme (EIS), which will run for an initial period of three years with the option of being extended for another two, as part of its long-running partnership with the ILO.

EIS, the first ever scheme of its kind in Bangladesh, provides compensation for garment workers and their families in the event of injuries, disabilities and deaths caused by workplace incidents.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization ILO, officially launched pilot of an Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) Project, aiming to ensure income protection to victims of work-related accidents and occupational diseases, an ILO press release said on Wednesday.

Salman F Rahman MP, Advisor to Prime Minister inaugurated the launch ceremony of the pilot programme in a hotel in Dhaka. Md Ehsan-E- Elahi, MoLE Secretary, ILO Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen, and higher officials from the German, Norway and Netherlands Embassy were present in the event.

Senior representatives from BGMEA, BKMEA, Workers' Associations, development partners and other national stakeholders also participated in the ceremony.

Employment injury protection is one of the nine branches of Social Protection recognised by ILO for all workers under its Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102). It is expected that through this successful pilot, the workers and their families will be under an improved income protection system, the press release added.

The speakers at the event welcomed the project idea and shared their opinions on the initiative. The Chief

Guest Salman F Rahman said, "Social Security is high on the agenda of Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh

Hasina."

At the inauguration event, ILO Bangladesh Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen highlighted ILO's approach towards improved social protection for workers in Bangladesh.

"The launch of 'Employment Injury Protection' scheme for RMG Workers in Bangladesh is an important and historic step in strengthening accident protection in the country," Tuomo said. "ILO is happy to support this effort and work with the Government, Employers and Workers to create a modern and contemporary compensation system for workers and their families that protect their incomes and living when they need it the most," he added.

Bangladesh, in association with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Germany and the Netherlands, yesterday rolled out the pilot project of the country's first employment injury scheme for workers. 

The ILO, in collaboration with the labour and employment ministry, launched the pilot of the Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) Project at the Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka, according to a press release from the United Nations agency. 

As a result, workers in the export-oriented readymade garment sector will get enhanced social security through income protection. 

Salman F Rahman, an adviser of the prime minister, inaugurated the scheme in presence of Labour Secretary Md Ehsan-E-Elahi and ILO Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen and higher officials from the embassies of Germany, Norway and the Netherlands. 

"The launch of the Employment Injury Protection scheme for garment workers in Bangladesh is an important and historic step in strengthening accident protection in the country," said Poutiainen. 

"The ILO is happy to support this effort and work with the government, employers and workers to create a modern and contemporary compensation system for workers and their families that protect their incomes and living when they need it the most. Such a system also promotes sustainable business practices and provides the right kind of signals to investors." 

Keeping in mind that workers in the garment industry play a remarkable role in the country's growing GDP, it is important to consider their rights and security on priority. This facility will be expanded to other economic sectors upon the success of the EIS pilot, said the ILO. 

Since 2013, the ILO and German development agency GIZ have been working with Bangladesh and industry partners for ensuring workers' social and financial security. As a continuation of the process, the government has decided to introduce a periodic payment scheme for occupational injuries, disabilities and deaths in the garment industry. 

Ehsan-E-Elahi called the occasion a historic day for Bangladesh since it is the first-ever social insurance scheme in the country as envisioned in the National Social Security Strategy. 

Faruque Hassan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said the pilot scheme would contribute to the social well-being of workers and employers and the improvement of the country's social security system. 

Shamim Ara, president of the National Coordination Committee for Workers' Education, stated that through the pilot scheme, workers have taken a step forward to getting freedom from accidental nightmares. "This step will ensure workers' safety and prevent their helplessness due to workplace accidents." 

Bas Blaauw, first secretary of the embassy of the Netherlands in Bangladesh, said the scheme has the potential to be a win-win situation, as social protection and sector competitiveness go hand in hand. 

"The EIS pilot can rightly be considered the peak of the reform process," said Johannes Schneider, head of development cooperation at the German embassy. 

"We now have, for the first time, an employment injury scheme that meets international standards in terms of compensation and that effectively protects workers and their families from falling into poverty as a result of workplace accidents and occupational diseases."

Workers in the export-oriented ready-made garment (RMG) sector are set to get enhanced social security through an income protection initiative, says the International Labour Organization (ILO) on Wednesday. 

The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) in collaboration with the ILO, the Netherlands and Germany (GIZ) officially launched the pilot of an “Employment Injury Scheme” to that end.

Advisor to Prime Minister Salman F Rahman inaugurated the event in presence of State Minister of MoLE Begum Monnujan Sufian, Secretary, MoLE Md Ehsan-E- Elahi, Country Director of ILO Tuomo Poutiainen, and higher officials from the German, Norway and Netherlands Embassy. 

 Senior representatives from BGMEA, BKMEA, workers’ associations, development partners and other national stakeholders also participated in the ceremony. 

Keeping in mind that workers in the ready-made garments industry play a remarkable role in the country’s growing GDP, it is important to consider their rights and security on priority, according to ILO. 

Poutiainen highlighted ILO’s approach towards improved social protection for workers in Bangladesh.

  He said the launch of ‘Employment Injury Protection’ scheme for RMG Workers in Bangladesh is an important and historic step in strengthening accident protection in the country. 

 “ILO is happy to support this effort and work with the Government, Employers and Workers to create a modern and contemporary compensation system for workers and their families that protect their incomes and living when they need it the most. Such a system also promotes sustainable business practices and provides right kind of signals to investors; as Bangladesh is step by step upgrading its social protection systems for the benefit of all.

Read: RMG workers stage demo for third consecutive day demanding pay rise (https://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/rmg-workers-stage-demo-for-third-consecutive-day-demandingpay-rise/94384) 

Salman Rahman said social security is high on the agenda of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

 Ehsan-E-Elahi thanked ILO and said, “It is a historical day for as we launch the first-ever social insurance scheme, as envisioned in the ‘National Social Security Strategy’. We have the privilege to ensure that the pilot is designed in line with the ‘International Labour Standards’, taking the national settings into consideration.”

 Speaking at the event, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said the ready-made garments industry of Bangladesh has made significant progress in the areas of safety and sustainability, especially workers’ welfare and industrial relations.  

“The pilot of the ‘Employment Injury Scheme’ will contribute to the social well-being of workers and employers and above all improvement of the country's social security system. As we are committed to ensuring the safety, dignity and well-being of our workers, we look forward to collaborating in initiatives that benefit our industry and workers.”

The government, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation, has launched a pilot project to compensate readymade garment workers for their occupational injuries, disabilities and deaths.

Called "Employment Injury Scheme", it is expected to contribute to the social well-being of workers as well as improvement of the country's social security system, said a press release.

Prime Minister's Advisor Salman F Rahman inaugurated the project —supported by the Netherlands government and German development agency GIZ at an event in the capital on Wednesday.

The government, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation, has launched a pilot project to compensate readymade garment workers for their occupational injuries, disabilities and deaths.

Called "Employment Injury Scheme", it is expected to contribute to the social well-being of workers as well as improvement of the country's social security system, said a press release.

Prime Minister's Advisor Salman F Rahman inaugurated the project —supported by the Netherlands government and German development agency GIZ at an event in the capital on Wednesday.

Labour and Employment Secretary Md Ehsan-E-Elahi, Country Director Of ILO Tuomo Poutiainen and other stakeholders took part in the programme, the release reads.

"The launch of the scheme is an important and historic step in strengthening accident protection in Bangladesh. ILO is happy to support the effort of creating a modern and contemporary compensation system, " said Tuomo Poutiainen.

Such a system also will promote sustainable business practices and provide the right kind of signals to investors, he added.

"It is a historical day as we launch the first-ever social insurance scheme, as envisioned in the National Social Security Strategy," Md Ehsan-E-Elahi said, adding that the pilot is designed in line with the "International Labour Standards".

Employment injury protection is one of the nine branches of social protection recognized by ILO. Since 2013, the ILO and the GIZ have been working together with the government and industry partners for ensuring workers' social and financial security.

As a continuation of the process, the government decided to introduce the periodic payment scheme, reads the release.

"The ready-made garments industry of Bangladesh has made significant progress in the areas of safety and sustainability, especially workers' welfare and industrial relations. The pilot programme will contribute to the social well-being of workers," added Faruque Hassan, president of the

BGMEA.

International Labour Organization ILO in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) officially launched the pilot of an Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) Project, aiming to provide income protection to victims of work-related accidents and occupational diseases. 

Lawmaker and Advisor to Prime Minister Salman F Rahman inaugurated the launch ceremony of the pilot programme in presence of MoLE Secretary Md Ehsan-E- Elahi, ILO Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen, and higher officials fromthe German, Norway and Netherlands Embassy, read an ILO press release on Wednesday. 

Senior representatives from BGMEA, BKMEA, Workers’ Associations, development partners and other national stakeholders also participated in the ceremony held in a hotel in Dhaka. 

Employment injury protection is one of the nine branches of Social Protection recognised by ILO for all workers under its Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102). It is expected that through this successful pilot, the workers and their families will be under an improved income protection system, the press release added. 

The speakers at the event welcomed the project idea and shared their opinions on the initiative. The Chief Guest Salman F Rahman said, “Social Security is high on the agenda of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.” 

At the inauguration event, ILO Bangladesh Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen highlighted ILO’s approach towards improved social protection for workers in Bangladesh. 

“The launch of ‘Employment Injury Protection’ scheme for RMG Workers in Bangladesh is an important and historic step in strengthening accident protection in the country,” Tuomo said. 

“ILO is happy to support this effort and work with the Government, Employers and Workers to create a modern and contemporary compensation system for workers and their families that protect their incomes and living when they need it the most,” he added. 

“It is a historical day for as we launch the first-ever social insurance scheme, as envisioned in the ‘National Social Security Strategy’,” MoLE Secretary Md Ehsan-E-Elahi stated. 

Speaking at the event, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said, “The pilot of the ‘Employment Injury Scheme’ will contribute to the social well-being of workers and employers and above all improvement of the country’s social security system.” 

The National Coordination Committee for Workers’ Education (NCCWE) President Shamim Ara, Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands First Secretary Bas Blaauw, and German Embassy Head of Development Cooperation Johannes Schneider also spoke at the event. 

Workers in the export-oriented ready-made garment (RMG) sector are set to get enhanced social security through income protection following the launch of a new International Labour Organization (ILO) initiative in collaboration with the Netherlands and Germany (GIZ), a press release said Wednesday. 

The ILO in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) officially launched the Pilot of an Employment Injury Scheme at a ceremony on Wednesday. 

Member of Parliament and Advisor to Prime Minister Salman F Rahman inaugurated the event in presence of Secretary, MoLE Md. Ehsan-E- Elahi, Country Director of ILO Tuomo Poutiainen, and higher officials fromthe German, Norway and Netherlands Embassy. 

Senior representatives from BGMEA, BKMEA, workers’ associations, development partners and other national stakeholders also participated in the ceremony. 

Keeping in mind that workers in the ready-made garments industry play a remarkable role in the country’s growing GDP, it is important to consider their rights and security on priority basis. This facility will be expanded to other economic sectors upon success of the EIS-Pilot project.  

Since 2013, ILO and GIZ have been working together with the Government of Bangladesh and industry partners for ensuring workers’ social and financial security. As a continuation of the process, after having several tripartite consultations, the Government of Bangladesh has decided to introduce a periodic payment scheme for occupational injuries, disabilitiesand deaths in the RMG industry.   

The long-awaited Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) was launched in the country’s readymade garment sector on Tuesday aimed at protecting workers effectively against
falling into poverty due to workplace accidents and occupational diseases.

Workers in the export-oriented RMG sector are set to get enhanced social security through income protection following the launch of the new scheme jointly by labour
ministry, International Labour Organization (ILO) initiative in collaboration with the Netherlands and Germany (GIZ).

Prime minister's private industry and investment adviser Salman F Rahman inaugurated the pilot project in an event held at Hotel Intercontinental in the city.

Secretary of Labour Ministry Md Ehsan-E- Elahi, Bangladesh Country Director of ILO Tuomo Poutiainen, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Faruque Hassan and labour leaders were present at the ceremony.

In his speech, Tuomo Poutiainen said the launch of ‘Employment Injury Protection’ scheme for RMG workers in Bangladesh is an important and historic step in strengthening accident protection in the country.
Such a system would promote sustainable business practices and provide the right kind of signals to investors; as Bangladesh is step by step upgrading its social  protection systems for the benefit of all, he said.

In the event, Salman F Rahman said that social security was high on the agenda of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

It is a historical day for as we launch the first-ever social insurance scheme, as envisioned in the ‘National Social Security Strategy’, labour secretary said.
"We have the privilege to ensure that the pilot is designed in line with the ‘International Labour Standards’, taking the national settings into consideration,” he said.
This pilot programme has the potential to be a win-win situation, as social protection and sector competitiveness go hand in hand. The Netherlands looks forward to working with all the relevant stakeholders to make the Pilot a success, said Bas Blaauw, First Secretary, Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands.

The EIS Pilot can rightly be considered the peak of this reform process, the industry has been undergoing, said Johannes Schneider, head of Development Cooperation from the German Embassy.

 "With the addition of the Pilot, we now have, for the first time, an employment injury scheme that meets international standards in terms of compensation and that effectively protects workers and their families from falling into poverty as a result of workplace accidents and occupational diseases," he
noted. 

The pilot of the employment injury scheme will contribute to the social well-being of workers and employers and above all improvement of the country's social security system, said BGMEA president.
Employment injury protection is one of the nine branches of social protection recognised by ILO for all workers under its Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102).
Bangladesh has already taken this issue as a priority and highlighted the same in the 2nd Phase Action
Plan of the National Social Security Strategy.
Keeping in mind that workers in the readymade garments industry play a remarkable role in the country’s growing GDP, it is important to consider their rights and security on priority.
This facility will be expanded to other economic sectors upon success of the EIS-Pilot.
Since 2013, ILO and GIZ have been working together with the government of Bangladesh and industry partners for ensuring workers’ social and financial security.
As a continuation of the process, after having several tripartite consultations, the government has decided to introduce a periodic payment scheme for occupational injuries, disabilities and deaths in the RMG industry.

The Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is celebrating the establishment of the country’s first ever pilot of a social  security scheme working on income protection and medical care for employment injuries. 

The launch of the pilot of an Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka on 21 June 2022 was chaired by Md Ehsan-E-Elahi, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE); Chief Guest Salman F Rahman, MP, Advisor to Hon’ble  Prime Minister, inaugurated the EIS Pilot, which was described as a historic event by many of the speakers. 

Johannes Schneider, Head of Development Cooperation, German Embassy Dhaka and Bas Blaauw, First Secretary, Embassy of the  Kingdom of Netherlands Dhaka attended the event as speakers.  

Alongside representatives of the ILO Geneva and the ILO Bangladesh. Further, workers’ representatives -Rashadul Alam Raju, Secretary General, IBC; Shameem Ara, Chairman, National Coordination Committee for Workers’ Education (NCCWE); Nur Kutub  Alam Mannan, President, Jatiya Sramik League (JSL) and employers’ representatives -Fazle Shamim Ehsan, Vice President,  Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters (BKMEA). 

Also, Faruque Hassan, President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Organisation (BGMEA) and Mr Ardashir Kabir,  President, Bangladesh Employers’ Federation (BEF) offered their valuable remarks. 

Johannes Schneider, Head of Development Cooperation, German Embassy Dhaka said, “With the addition of the Pilot, we now have,  for the first time, an employment injury scheme that meets international standards in terms of compensation and that effectively protects workers and their families from falling into poverty as a result of workplace accidents and occupational diseases.” 

Shameem Ara, Chairman, NCCWE said, “Workers in Bangladesh helped the country to start the graduation from a Least Developed  Country. Let us help them by valuing their contribution to the economy.” 

The EIS covers all RMG workers. It will compensate injured workers and dependants in case of accidents which lead to permanent disability or death in line with the requirements of the ILO Employment Injury Protection Convention, 1964 (No. 121). 

As such, it is a milestone towards establishing decent work and economic growth in the country. 

Md Ehsan E Elahi, Hon’ble Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh said,  “It is a historical day for our ministry to launch the first ever social insurance scheme as envisioned in the National Social Security Strategy. With the support of our committed partners, the ILO and GIZ, we have the privilege to ensure that the Pilot is designed in line with international labour standards.” 

We do believe that we can continue the scheme not only in RMG but in the other formal sectors with the support of the development partners, Ardashir Kabir, President, BEF added. 

A tripartite committee, established by the Government of Bangladesh, oversees the task of piloting the EIS. It is comprised of  representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, employers’ associations (BEF, BGMEA and BKMEA) as well as workers’ organisations (IndustriALL Bangladesh Council (IBC), NCCWE and JSL). 

This mechanism strengthens national governance structures and ownership. The members of the committee agreed upon the main elements of the Pilot which is conceptualised towards the introduction of a permanent statuary EIS. 

The International Labour Organization (ILO), funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH – the latter on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development – supported in conceptualising the Pilot’s design and advocated for brands to participate.

Moreover, these international partners facilitated the discussions amongst the tripartite constituents as honest brokers. Ultimately,  in early 2022, the national stakeholders endorsed the Pilot. 

We applaud 7 brands, among them- Bestseller, Fast Retailing, the H&M Group, KiK Textilien und Non-Food GmbH, Primark and  Tchibo – which have already signed pledges as commitments for voluntary financial contributions, as the forerunners for effective protection against work-related accidents in Bangladesh. 

Moving forward, the two components of the Pilot will be set into action. 

Data gathering and capacity-building on occupational accidents, diseases and rehabilitation, based on a sample of representative factories: Research will be carried out on the average medical costs for a worker in case of injury. 

This will help identify the resources necessary to ensure that medical care as described in the Bangladesh Labour Act is effectively  met. The research will extend to the process adhered to and the benefits provided in case of temporary incapacity. 

This will demonstrate the viability, feasibility and cost efficiency of an EIS in Bangladesh, ensuring affordability of employers’  contributions by testing the impact of a sharing of responsibility approach. 

Approximately, 150 factories will be participating in generating the evidence needed for a long-term solution. 

Risk-sharing for long-term benefits- payment of compensations in case of permanent disability or death for the entire RMG sector that are line with international labour standards: In this component, the pilot provides income replacements for the permanently disabled and the dependents of deceased workers, covering the entire RMG sector. 

This takes the form of periodical payments as top-ups for the already existing lump-sum payments of the Central Fund, rendering the level of benefits compatible with the ILO Convention No. 121. These top-up payments will be financed by voluntary contributions of international brands and retailers.  In doing so, they are stimulating further the transformation towards a comprehensive employment injury insurance scheme and  supporting the primary efforts of government authorities. This is in line with the ILO MNE Declaration, which encourages enterprises to complement public social security systems and help to stimulate further their development, including through their own employer-sponsored programmes.