Despite clear legal provisions, construction workers across Bangladesh continue to risk their lives every day due to weak enforcement and widespread neglect of safety standards. The Bangladesh Labour Act 2006, amended in 2019, contains detailed clauses on occupational safety and health. Yet, on most construction sites, even basic protective gear remains absent, leading to frequent injuries and deaths.
The construction sector employs around 3.5 million workers and contributes nearly 8 per cent to the country’s GDP. Still, the safety and livelihood of this vast workforce remain largely ignored. Experts blame state indifference, negligence by responsible authorities and the lack of awareness and bargaining power among workers themselves.
Fatal accidents in Jashore highlight the crisis. In July, two engineers, Mizanur Rahman and Azizur Rahman, and a subcontractor, Nuru Mia, died after falling from a multi-storey building under construction in the Circuit House area.
On October 5, 28-year-old rod worker Sazzad Hossain fell to his death from the 10th floor of Accenture Nilachal Tower at Rupkatha Mor. Allegations surfaced that he was working without a safety belt.
Sazzad’s elder brother, Nayan Hossain, said the family initially avoided filing a case to prevent a post-mortem. Building owners had promised Tk2,00,000 in compensation and Tk5,000 monthly support, but later paid only Tk1,00,000. Nayan also alleged that Sazzad, a rod worker, was forced to operate a crane without proper training or safety equipment. Site authorities denied the claims, insisting that safety gear was available, though only a broken helmet and a single belt could be shown.
Workers at several sites claimed that after Sazzad’s death, all labourers were replaced to suppress complaints. Such practices are common in an industry where appointment letters, defined working hours and safety measures mandated by law are rarely followed.
According to Jashore Municipality, 287 building plans were approved between January and October in 2025, with over 100 projects currently underway. Visits to sites in Barandipara, Bejpara, Sankarpur and Palbari revealed an almost total absence of helmets, belts or boots. “Expensive equipment is used to build buildings, but they cannot provide even a helmet for us,” said one worker.
Civil society members argue that contractors prioritise profit, while weak trade unions and poor coordination among authorities allow violations to continue. Labour inspectors admit they lack the manpower to monitor largely informal construction sites.
The Labour Act sets compensation at Tk2,00,000 for death and higher amounts for permanent disability, but enforcement remains weak. Sociologist K M Rezaul Karim warns that when a family’s sole earner dies, the consequences include poverty, crime and social breakdown.
Experts stress the urgent need for a dedicated construction workers’ policy, mandatory training, stronger inspections and digitised oversight before more lives are lost.
