A total of 1,034 workers were killed in workplace accidents in 2022, according to a survey by the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS).
A further 1,037 workers were injured in the accidents, the study found.
BILS highlighted the findings in a report, titled Newspaper Based BILS Survey on Labour and Workplace Situation in Bangladesh - 2022.
The survey examined accidents, torture, labour displeasure and related issues.
According to survey data, 1,034 workers died in workplace accidents in 2022 – which is 2% less than in 2021. Among the victims, 1,027 (99%) were male and seven (1%) were female workers.
In the last 12 years, the transport sector has witnessed the highest number of deaths. A total of 499 of the accident victims worked in the transport sector, which is 48% of the total deaths.
Besides, 135 workers were killed and 155 injured due to workplace torture. There were 196 incidents of labour displeasure in various sectors, including 115 incidents of labour unrest in the garment sector.
According to the report, the second highest number of worker deaths, 118, was reported in the construction sector. The deaths in the sector account for 11% of the total. The third highest 112 workers died in the agriculture sector, which is also 11%.
Apart from this, 46 day labourers, 44 container depot workers, 43 fishermen, 22 electrical workers, 15 shipping sector workers, 12 hotel restaurant workers, 10 brick kiln workers, seven ship breaking industry workers, 6 chemical factory workers and 100 workers in other sectors were killed in this year, the report mentioned.
Transport sector accidents
A review of workplace accidents from 2011 to 2022 found that as many as 3,819 workers were killed in the transport sector in the last 12 years.
In 2022, 499 workers were killed, 513 in 2021, 348 in 2020, 516 in 2019, 424 in 2018, and 249 in 2017.
Next most victims were from among construction workers, with a review of workplace accidents from 2011 to 2022 showing that 1,352 workers were killed in the construction sector over the past 12 years.
Md Selim, trade union leader of the transport sector, told Dhaka Tribune that accidents are increasing in the sector due to system loss.
He claimed that due to lack of proper management, deaths are the result when accidents occur.
The statistics are made based on newspaper reports. But some cases are not coming in the newspaper. If that could be calculated, the death rate would be more in this sector, he added.
The report further added that 1037 workers were injured in workplace accidents, including 964 (93%) male and 73 (7%) female workers.
Workplace harassment
In the workplace, 90 workers were tortured in the transport sector. Among them, 64 people were killed, 26 were injured.
According to this newspaper-based survey, 338 workers were victims of workplace harassment in 2022. Among them 294 (87%) were male and 44 (13%) female workers.
Out of 338 people, 135 were killed, 155 were injured, 34 were missing, one was reported to have committed suicide and 13 abducted were later recovered by the police.
Reviewing the report, BILS said that workplace violence includes physical abuse, rape, stabbing, murder, mysterious death, kidnapping, and beatings. Death has also occurred as a result of workplace torture.
The third highest, 33 (10%) domestic workers were victims of violence, of which 12 were killed, 20 were injured, and one case of suicide was reported. In addition, 33 media workers were subjected to torture, in which one person was killed and 32 were injured, report also said.
Abul Hossain, acting coordinator of Domestic Workers' Rights Network (DWRN) told Dhaka Tribune, the situation of domestic workers is now alarming. There is no specific law for their protection. The Labor Act mentions that it covers all workers but, except in certain sectors, there are domestic workers.
He claimed that legal protection is not for them, they can go to Civil Law violence's against women and children Act, they are not organized, and they don't have any strong union.
Getting support has become impossible for them. The police also process the case of suicide; the incidents are continuing to be called suicide, he further said.
“However, I am hopeful that domestic workers' protection issues will be included in the amendment of the Labor Act 2006”, said Abul Hossain.
Outside workplace
The highest number of 85 (26%) workers was subjected to torture outside the workplace, among which 40 people were killed, 34 injured, one missing, and 10 suicides.
According to the survey, 330 workers were subjected to harassment outside the workplace in 2022.
Among them, 213 people were killed, 74 were injured, one person was missing, and 42 people were reported to have committed suicide.
Out of 330, 76% are male and 24% are female workers.
Labour Dissatisfaction
According to the survey, the highest 89 (45%) cases of worker dissatisfaction occurred due to salary arrears.
Ten workers were injured while protesting. Of them, seven are male and three female.
