Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a permanent employment injury protection scheme for workers in export processing zones by 2027, marking a significant step in Bangladesh’s efforts to strengthen workplace safety and social protection standards.
The commitment emerged from a high-level workshop at the ILO’s International Training Centre in Turin, Italy, where government officials, employers and international experts adopted a joint statement outlining a roadmap to transform an existing pilot programme into a comprehensive, self-sustaining Employment Injury Scheme (EIS).
The initiative comes as Bangladesh seeks to deepen labour reforms and strengthen its standing as a responsible sourcing destination for global buyers, with workplace standards remaining a key consideration for international investors and apparel brands.
Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain, Executive Chairman of BEPZA, led the Bangladesh delegation, which included senior BEPZA officials and representatives of local and international manufacturers operating in the EPZs.
Pilot scheme provides benefits to injured workers
The move builds on an EIS pilot launched in February 2025 through a partnership among BEPZA, the ILO and German development agency GIZ for workers employed in export-oriented garment factories within EPZs.
Funded by international brand buyers, the pilot provides financial compensation to workers and their dependants in cases of workplace fatalities or permanent disability, including accidents occurring during commuting.
Since benefit disbursement began in September 2025, 48 beneficiaries have received financial support under the programme.
Participants at the Turin workshop reviewed implementation experience, governance arrangements, financing mechanisms and legal requirements needed to convert the pilot into a permanent social protection framework.
Under the proposed model, workers would receive coverage from their first day of employment and become eligible for compensation in cases of occupational death or permanent disability through a system designed to meet international labour standards.
The initiative forms part of the two-year labour reform action plan signed between BEPZA and the ILO covering the 2025-2027 period.
Speaking at the workshop, Moazzem Hossain said industrial development must be accompanied by worker safety, dignity and social protection.
“EIS-BEPZA is an important step towards achieving that objective,” he said. “We aspire to build an industrial ecosystem where productivity and human values receive equal emphasis.”
Rehabilitation centre under discussion
During the visit, the BEPZA delegation also met representatives of Swiss occupational insurance and rehabilitation institution SUVA to discuss the possibility of establishing a modern rehabilitation centre under BEPZA.
Officials said the proposed facility would provide treatment and rehabilitation services for workers injured in workplace accidents, helping them return to work and strengthening occupational health services in the export processing zones.
The initiative would complement the planned employment injury protection scheme by extending support beyond financial compensation to include medical rehabilitation and recovery services.
Investment promotion accompanies labour reforms
Alongside labour and social protection discussions, the delegation held a series of meetings with business leaders, chamber representatives and prospective investors from Italy, Germany, Spain and Switzerland.
BEPZA officials highlighted Bangladesh’s investment climate, industrial infrastructure, labour compliance efforts and incentives available to foreign investors.
