Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has introduced health insurance facilities for its cleaners for the first time, bringing 2,467 workers under coverage in the initial phase.
The health insurance programme was formally inaugurated at the Nagar Bhaban in Gulshan, where DNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz attended as the chief guest and DNCC Chief Waste Management Officer Commodore ABM Shamsul Alam presided over the event.
Speaking at the programme, Mohammad Azaz said health insurance facilities should be ensured for cleaners in both public and private offices, adding that DNCC was proud to bring its employees under health insurance coverage as a government organisation.
He said that despite the growth in Dhaka’s area and population, the number of workers remains limited, and alongside recruitment, efforts are underway to ensure the safety and protection of existing employees.
Waste management workers operate in risky and unsafe environments, and ensuring their social protection is a responsibility, he added.
The DNCC administrator also said initiatives are being taken to gradually bring an additional 5,000 outsourced workers and mosquito control workers under the health insurance scheme, alongside regular DNCC employees.
In his address as chair, Commodore ABM Shamsul Alam said the health insurance programme is one of DNCC’s most important milestone initiatives over the past year, noting that the city corporation has been working consistently to bring marginalised groups under social protection.
Under the programme, beneficiaries will be able to receive medical services at more than 400 private clinics in the capital at 50 percent discount and will receive special health protection in case of illness.
In the event of the death of any insured worker, a one-time financial assistance of Tk30,000 will be provided.
The annual insurance premium has been fixed at Tk200, with Sajida Foundation and Reckitt Bangladesh (Harpic) bearing the insurance premiums for 1,000 workers, while DNCC is covering the cost for 1,467 workers.
The insurance facilities are being provided with the support of Chartered Life Insurance.
After the programme, health insurance cards were distributed among the beneficiary cleaners.
Also present at the event were DNCC Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Asaduzzaman, Chief Engineer Brigadier General Md Moin Uddin, Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury, Sajida Foundation Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Fazlul Haq, Reckitt Bangladesh Head of Marketing Sabrin Maruf Tinni, and other guests.
