Implementation of a pilot Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) in Bangladesh

The project provides technical assistance to the Government of Bangladesh (MoLE, Central Fund), Employers’ Associations (BEF, BGMEA, BKMEA), and Workers’ Associations (IBC, NCCWE) in establishing an operational Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) in the ready-made garment sector as well as strengthening the public administration capacity on the pilot scheme.

Based on the learning from the EIS pilot phase, the project also aims to transform this Pilot into a National Employment Injury Insurance (EII) Programme, in line with the ILO Employment Injury Benefits Convention, 1964 (No. 121).

Phase 1 started in August 2021, ended in September 2023, and was solely funded by the Government of the Netherlands. Phase 2 is the continued collaboration with the Government of the Netherlands and is co-funded by the Government of Canada.

Phase 2 will focus on the following three outcomes:

• Outcome-1: EIS-Pilot is operationalized.
• Outcome-2: System of ‘Occupational Medicine’ improved.
• Outcome-3: National Employment Injury Benefits system designed.

It is expected that through this successful pilot, workers and their families (especially the women, and vulnerable, who are dependent on the deceased or disabled workers) will be under an improved income protection system. At the same time, the employers will be protected from financial and reputational loss.

The Rana Plaza legacy

The Rana Plaza accident in April 2013 brought to the fore the need for employment injury insurance (EII) after industrial accidents. This insurance helps employers cover the medical, rehabilitation and/or legal costs associated with workplace accidents as well as provides for workers' compensation to ensure that they and their families maintain income stability following disability, or even death, after industrial accidents.