The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), launched the distribution of Notices of Award under the Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) on Sunday.
The scheme provides financial support to workers in the garment sector of Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in cases of death or permanent disability caused by workplace accidents.
At the event, Notices of Award were handed to the families of two deceased workers from Dhaka and Chattogram EPZs, and one permanently disabled worker from Cumilla EPZ. The workers will now receive monthly financial assistance, similar to a pension, ensuring long-term support for the affected families.
“This initiative marks a pivotal milestone in our journey toward establishing a sustainable, humane, and internationally aligned framework for workplace injury protection in Bangladesh,” said BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman.
He added, “Your dedication, integrity, and hard work are the foundation of BEPZA’s success. It is our duty to ensure your social protection. This is why we launched the EIS pilot project and are revising the EPZ Labour Law to make it more worker-friendly.”
“We are also working on a special fund so that if any factory shuts down suddenly, workers’ dues can be settled quickly and fairly,” he added.
Max Tunon, ILO Country Director (Designated), said, “While no financial support can replace a life, timely compensation provides families with the stability they need to rebuild.”
Dr Michael Klode, GIZ Representative, said, “This project reflects a shared responsibility to protect workers and employers alike. GIZ is proud to support this important step toward a safer and more resilient labor system in Bangladesh.”
Md Munir Hossain Khan, Director General of Central Fund & Bangladesh Labour Welfare Foundation, said, “This initiative demonstrates how government, employers, workers, and international partners can unite to build a safer and more inclusive labor market.”
The ceremony was attended by representatives from the European Union, German and Dutch Embassies, the Canadian High Commission, international brands, EPZ investors, and workers’ representatives, among others.
BEPZA, which operates eight EPZs across the country, continues to prioritize workers’ social protection alongside investment facilitation. The authority is also developing two new EPZs in Patuakhali and Jashore.
As of August 2025, BEPZA hosts 454 enterprises, employing approximately 550,000 workers. The total investment in these zones stands at US$ 7.14 billion, with cumulative exports amounting to US$ 120.46 billion. Despite covering only 0.001% of Bangladesh’s total land area, BEPZA’s zones contribute significantly to the country’s total exports.
Beyond investment, BEPZA has implemented various welfare initiatives, including free healthcare, daycare centers, nutritional support for pregnant workers, and group insurance.
The introduction of the EIS project will further strengthen these initiatives, contributing to a more robust social protection framework in Bangladesh’s labor market, BEPZA said in a statement.
