Staff Reporter :
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.
