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.
