Webinar on Employment Injury System Pilot Project in Bangladesh
Webinar on Employment Injury System Pilot Project in Bangladesh
The „Employment Injury Scheme“ has been paving the way to introduce a long overdue social security system for workers in Bangladesh since 2021. If occupational accidents lead to permanent disability or even death, workers or their families are to receive payments in the form of pensions.
Brands sourcing in Bangladesh campaigned to ensure that workers in supply chains receive effective support in the event of labour-related injuries. So they initiated the EIS.
In September 2019, a decisive step towards adequate protection was taken: the government of Bangladesh, the ILO and the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) agreed to initiate a Pilot Project for an EIS for the RMG sector. It was agreed that the ILO and GIZ would work closely together to set up the administrative processes. They are also to assist in ensuring that a permanent, legislative EIS is established. The EIS Pilot was officially launched on 21 June 2022 and will run for 3 to 5 years.
The Pilot Project consists of two components:
- Data collection and capacity building on occupational accidents, occupational diseases and rehabilitation based on a representative sample of enterprises
- Risk sharing for long-term benefits: Payment of ILO-compliant compensation in the event of permanent disability or death for the entire export-oriented RMG sector.
Silvia Popp from GIZ's project Social Protection in Bangladesh presented the EIS Pilot in a webinar on 06 March, attended by more than 20 members of the Textiles Partnership. She also discussed how brands and retailers can contribute to the success of the EIS pilot:
- They contribute to the financing of the project.
- They support selected national suppliers.
- They are in constant exchange with suppliers, especially in terms of communication in the form of campaigns. This is to ensure that workers are aware of the EIS Pilot.
Bangladesh is the second largest garment manufacturer in the world. Despite this, it is the only country in the industry that does not have a formalised system for protection and compensation in the event of occupational accidents. There are globally agreed minimum standards for occupational injuries to which workers are entitled. Until now, workers in Bangladesh have not received these benefits. This should change with the EIS.
It is important to note that the EIS Pilot is funded by the participation of brands. Therefore, the EIS Pilot calls on companies to participate in order to provide benefits to Bangladeshi workers in case of accidents at the work place.
Contact
If you would like to get involved with the EIS Pilot or would like more information, please contact us at mail@textilbuendnis.com.
