Strength in numbers: Some results by the WSM partners in Bangladesh in 2023

Labour rights: 102.878 people, of which 50% women and 9% younger than 35 years, were involved in the services by the partners to improve their working conditions. 

• 200.000 workers increased their awareness on labour standards and especially the minimum wages for the garment sector
• 3.864 workers per year were organised to increase membership
• 154 union members received basic training and 139 union leaders advanced training on labour rights and collective bargaining 
• 859 garment sector union members received legal assistance

Health

• Almost 149.119 members, of which 61% women increased their awareness about health and hygiene, family planning, health related messages, gender policy and rights.
• 32.245 garment workers and vulnerable people, of which over half were women, were organised to join the health insurance of GK.
• 41 women received basic training as a traditional birth attendee, and 127 members received training to work as a paramedic. 94 paramedics of which 73 are women, are trained to promote health insurance to the general public.
• Nearly 23.753 people received medical advice through specialised health camps, preventive care programs and were supplied with medicines, of which 15.937 are women. 7.286 garment workers, of which 4.772 women, received medical advice aid and support through health camps and health screenings.

Social security

• 271.614 workers, of which 140.858 are women and 131.295 under 35 years are informed about social security through media, poster and leaflets.
• 61 workers, of which 38 women and 60 under 35 years, were part of two basic trainings on social security.

Vocational training: 127 people, of which 97% women and  all under 35 years received vocational skill training through GK, on computer skills, women driving and to work as a paramedic.

Social economy: especially focusing on elderly, 100 seniors were supported through social economy initiative to ensure betterment of health, of which 63 were elderly women.

224 members of BSPAN were mobilised for advocacy actions during national days and 65 BSPAN members interacted with policy makers to promote access to social protection  and to ratify ILO Convention 102 on minimum standards for social security. 

Learning: 1.065 members increased their awareness on social security, shared lessons and experiences. 49 BSPAN members received  training on OSH as fundamental rights and how to use  communication and social dialogue for SP Campaign.

What happened in Bangladesh regarding social protection in 2023?

Bangladesh saw some measures taken related to social protection in 2023:

• Universal Pension Scheme (UPS)

In August 2023, the Bangladeshi government introduced the Universal Pension Scheme (UPS). Under this program, citizens aged under 50 can enroll by paying a fixed premium for at least 10 years. Upon reaching 60, beneficiaries receive pension payments. Notably, both the deposited premiums and pension disbursements enjoy tax exemptions. Additionally, beneficiaries have the option to withdraw up to 50% of their accumulated funds as a loan.

• Garment Workers’ Minimum Wage Increase

Effective December 1, 2023, the minimum wage for garment workers rose from 8,000 taka to 12,500 BDT (approximately 110€) per month. This was after many protests that met with violent repression and remains far below the trade unions unified demand of 24.000BDT/month.

• 
  Employment Injury Scheme for Garment Workers

Long awaited, this pilot scheme launched in 2023 is addressing occupational safety, the Employment Injury Scheme provides comprehensive support for garment workers. It includes data collection, rehabilitation services, and safety enhancements within factories. See ILO's June 2024 publication on its achievements here.

Climate Change Challenges

Also in 2023, Bangladesh faced climate-related health risks due to rising temperatures, floods, and cyclones. These challenges impact poverty reduction efforts and strain healthcare systems. However, addressing climate change can also yield health benefits, including improved air quality and disease prevention.

A health worker excels - GK paramedics digitally empowered

Hi, I’m Sharmin, a 19-year-old with a big dream: to become a nurse and help people in need. Recently, I got accepted into the GK training program, which has been an incredible experience.

In 2023, International Women’s Day focused on “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”, and inspired by this, GK encouraged paramedics like me to learn computer skills alongside our regular training. I had never used a computer before—my older brother was the only one in our family who had one. But I quickly realized that knowing how to use Word and Excel is essential for any job nowadays.

Excel fascinated me. It’s like magic—it can calculate percentages and analyze data. Now, armed with this knowledge, I feel more confident during our door-to-door visits in rural villages. As a paramedic, I can provide health information effectively and be a first responder when needed.

This training is just the beginning, but I’m hopeful. The blend of healthcare and technology empowers me to serve my community better. Together, we can make a difference—one step at a time.

When a gender reveal isn't a good thing - testimony from a GK traditional birth attendee in Bangladesh

Halima, 57 years: "I received Traditional Birth Attenders (TBA) training from Gonoshasthay Kendra (GK) and began working in my village. In Bangladesh, maternity care often occurs at home due to stigma around women going to hospitals. As a TBA, I provide health advice to pregnant women and support them during follow-up visits with GK paramedics and I also bring them to our sub-centers for ultrasound scans. Unfortunately, I sometimes encounter uncomfortable situations where families try to know the fetus’s gender. This can be dangerous: if it’s a boy, often the family is very happy and the mother praised and taken care of. However, if it’s turns out to be a girl, families can be unhappy and can blame the mother, neglect her or even lead to physical and mental abuse them.

To prevent this, in 2020, the Bangladesh High Court issued a rule to prevent gender-based discrimination against unborn children. GK not only abides this but to contribute addressing this serious issue, has incorporated gender awareness into our midwifery training. Through workshops, we educate elders and family members that woman are not responsible for a baby’s gender and that daughters are just as much of a blessing as sons. Within our role of traditional birth attendees, we can help eliminate discrimination and contribute to dismantling societal stigma.

Since my gender awareness training, I’ve actively promoted change within many  families and villages and have been proud to witness this."

What INSP!Ring happened in Bangladesh in 2022?

Regarding labour standards, the Government of Bangladesh continued to implement the road map on the Labour Sector in Bangladesh (2021–2026): tripartite discussions on amending the Labour Act, 2006 and the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) Labour Rules, an online trade union registration process at the Department of Labour, finalization and approval of the framework for the ready-made garment (RMG) Sustainability Council (RSC) which took over inspections from the Accord, formation of a committee to draft a national wage policy. 2023 should see a new minimum wage established for the garment workers, since the last increase was done in 2018 at a very disappointing 8.000 BDT. With the exponential double digit inflation, most trade unions are now demanding 23.000 BDT. Issues of occupational health and safety continued to plague Bangladesh: on 19 April, students of Dhaka College violently clashed with poor shop keepers of New Market area, setting shops on fire. On 4th of June 2022, a fire and subsequent explosions at a container depot in Chittagong killed at least 47 people and injured around 450 others.

Regarding social protection, the government of Bangladesh launched in June 2022 a long lobbied for social security scheme working on income protection and medical care for work-related injuries, the first ever Employment Injury Scheme for garment workers. It is overseen by a tripartite committee. Several brands pledged to contribute. In December 2022, the government also announced a long lobbied for first universal National Pension Scheme, which provides a pension to all citizens over 60 years who have contributed for at least 10 years. Here, however CSO representation is severely lacking in the design and implementation. 

Bangladesh is also set to graduate from the Least Developed Country status by 2026, meaning export rates for the EU will be affected.

Some results of BSPAN, the Bangladesh INSP!R network

National level: 190 members of BSPAN were mobilised for advocacy actions during national days and 57 BSPAN members interacted with policy makers to promote access to social protection  and to ratify ILO Convention 102 on minimum standards for social security. 

Learning: 1.000 members increased their awareness on social security, shared lessons and experiences. 22 BSPAN members received basic training on how to use social media and 23 BSPAN members advanced training on Social protection issues.

Sexual harassment recorded on cellphone of garment workers - Bangladesh, 2022

TESTIMONIES

Md. Amzad, 24 years old from Shariatpur, joined Ratul Fabrics Ltd on February 2019 with a basic salary of BDT 6.100 or 50€. While working there, the workers decided to organize and form a labor union so they filled the required forms to register the union in October 2021. But while the request was being processed by the authorities, the factory authorities stopped the organizers from entering and fired them, including Amzad. Amzad submitted a grievance letter to the management which stayed without response. He then turned to NGWF which offered him legal assistance and eventually, Md. Amzad got BDT 51.794 compensation and was reinstated.

A garment worker (name not used to remain anonymous) at a factory called Shareem Group Textiles in Ashulia, near Dhaka. Though she is married, she was pressured into sex with one of the supervisors. He used his cellphone to record images and shared it with two other supervisors who threatened to share this on social media and with her husband if she didn’t also satisfy them. 

She sought NGWF support and with their help, filed a case against the supervisor at the local police station.

While initially, the police was not helpful and she was even fired from her job, eventually the continued pressure from the union organizer led the management to fire the first supervisor and reprimanding the two other. However, she still remains without a job…

Some results by intervention strategy...

Vocational training: 117 people, of which 80% women and  all under 35 years received vocational skill training through GK, on computer skills, women driving and to work as a paramedic.

Social economy: especially focusing on elderly, 80 seniors were supported through social economy initiative to ensure betterment of health, of which 51 were elderly women.

Labour rights: 182.844 people, of which 55% women and 80% younger than 35 years, were involved in the services by the partners to improve their working conditions. 

• 176.757 workers increased their awareness on labour standards and especially the minimum wages for the garment sector
• 4.589 workers per year were organised to increase membership
• 185 union members received basic training on labour rights
• 133 union leaders received advanced training on collective bargaining 
• 850 garment sector union members received legal assistance

Health and social protection law

• Almost 150.000 members, of which 2/3 are women increased their awareness about health and hygiene, family planning, health related messages, gender policy and rights.
• 30.300 garment workers and vulnerable people, of which over half were women, were organised to join the health insurance of GK.
• 40 women received basic training as a traditional birth attendee, and 60 members received training to work as a paramedic. 80 paramedics of which 60 are women, are trained to promote health insurance to the general public.
• Nearly 25.000 people received medical advice through specialised health camps, preventive care programs and were supplied with medicines, of which 18.830 are women. 7.745 garment workers, of which 5.865 women, received medical advice aid and support through health camps and health screenings.

Social security

• 170.000 workers, of which 94.000 are women and 134.300 under 35 years are informed about social security through media, poster and leaflets.
• 56 workers, of which 35 women and 50 under 35 years, were part of two basic trainings on social security.

Anniversary Rana Plaza: Demand to ensure safe working environment in the garment sector

Today is that black, tragic day that we remember the factory collapse and killing of over 1.100 workers on 24th April at Rana Plaza in Savar, shocking Bangladesh and the world. WSM partner National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF) arranged a month-long campaign and programs for Rana Plaza Workers' Murder Day, to lobby for safer working environment in the garment industry.

As part of this month-long program "Rana Plaza, Tazreen - Never Again", a Workers Rally and a flower wreath were held at the Rana Plaza site and monument on Sunday, 24th April, 2022 at 10.30.

Through the rally, workers demanded a safe workplace for all garment workers in Bangladesh, so that tragedy like Rana Plaza or the Tazreen fire never happen again. NGWF arranged a short assembly before the start of the rally and speeches were given by the central leaders, Rafikul Islam Rafik, Mrs Nasima Akter, Md Kabir Hosssain, Md Faridul Islam, Md Faruk Khan, Sweety Sultana etc.

Covid-19 vaccine survey: vaccination rate among workers in Bangladesh is negligible

Bangladesh Occupational Safety Health and Environment Foundation (OSHE) conducted a rapid sample survey among 60 workers at 6 working sectors (readymade garments, leather, ship breaking, construction, waste recycling and home based work) under the district of Dhaka, Gajipur and Chittagong. It found that only 27% workers received  the COVID-19 vaccine and 73% of workers have not yet received any vaccine from the government. The survey was carried out by OSHE foundation between 15 August to 10 September 2021.  

The analysis showed that 47% workers surveyed already registered through the government designated app (Surokkha) as managed by the Department of Health, but most have been waiting for a long time to receive a date for the first dose of the vaccine. 30% workers from the survey informed that they missed to register through the Surokkha app due to lack of know-how, lack of access to internet, lack of required registration related support from concerned employer, any relevant government agency, local health service provider or community based organizations.

According to a sector wise analysis, only 3% workers in the RMG sector received COVID-19 vaccine,  5% workers in the construction sector, 3% in leather, 8% in waste recycling sector and only 7% of home based workers. 

The vaccination rate among the ship breaking sector was found to be nil. Vaccination rate among female workers was found to be only 12% of the total number of workers. None of the workers from any sector reported any infection with the corona virus while only 8% of the workers had gone for covid-19 testing at local government facilities in the past.

Nearly 570.000 people reached 2020 in Bangladesh through

For labour standards: over 175.000 garment workers (57% women and 77% youth) reached.

• Over 170.000 garment workers are more aware of their rights through public outreach. 
  
• 2.700 garment workers are newly organized
• Almost 300 workers received basic or advanced training 
• Over 1.000 garment workers received legal assistance. 
• Nearly 1.000 workers were mobilised to demand an increase of the minimum wage. 

141 people got vocational skill training through GK, and they raised awareness regarding women driving.

350.000 workers were made aware of their social security rights and 60 got a basic training. 

Almost 45.000 people improved their access to health because of GK, with 10.000 people getting direct medical attention.

• Partners:             NGWF, GK, OHS Initiative, BSPAN
• Budget 2020:     100.000€
• Donor:                Belgian Development Directorate
• Programme:        2017-2021

Infographics Bangladeshi workers and social protection during lockdown and COVID-19 - BSPAN

The WSM supported Bangladesh Social Protection Advocacy Network BSPAN also allocated 20% of its annual budget to COVID-19 related activities and raised awareness about pandemic and preventive measures among the workers and their community through 5000 awareness raising flyers and delivered emergency health support and telemedicine among 200 workers and relatives. BSPAN also advocated for COVID-19 to be declared an Occupational Disease.

As the pandemic closed their doors on Bangladeshi garment workers, trade unions step up

The Garment Workers’ Federation NGWF focuses on labour standards and social security for the 2 million Bangladeshi textile workers, mostly women. Over 2.600 workers joined the trade union, and almost 250 received training regarding labour rights and collective bargaining. Over 1.000 workers received legal aid and more than 600 publicly advocated for better working conditions in Bangladesh through rallies, hunger strikes, human chains, memoranda handovers to the government, etc.). Over 200.000 workers were sensitized regarding social security schemes through posters and leaflets and 150.000 workers were reached through their media releases regarding the situation and rights of garment workers. 

Khadija, 26 year old, came to Dhaka in 2015 and started work as an Assistant Operator with 5,300BDT salary. She is from an impoverished family and struggled financially during her life. When she joined in her job in 2015, she didn’t know anything about her rights, about her different types of benefits i.e. work hours, overtime benefits, maternity leaves and benefits, workplace health and safety issues, gender violence etc. As a result, she suffered different types of abuse by factory management who used slang and sometimes beat her. When becoming a member of NGWF, she regularly attended the meetings and training programs relating to Gender Training, Workplace Health & Safety Training, Collective Bargaining Training, Labour Rights Training. Afterwards, she started participating in public demonstrations. This not only helped her improve her working conditions and wages, she shared her knowledge with other workers, got more members and formed a factory union which got registered in November 2020. Khadija is now getting her wage properly and can better support her family. She is very motivated to continue organizing and her goal is to strengthen the union to ensure decent wages and also to stop gender discrimination.

Bringing health services to over 10.000 Bangladeshi people amidst a pandemic in 2020: GK

In 2020, besides offering vocational skill courses to 79 people, GK also offered access to health amidst the pandemic. Over 10.000 members (67% women, 69% young workers) received medical advice or health insurance on preventive care with drug essentials, specialized health camps, grants for destitute groups, HIV/AIDS Screening. 162 people (85% women and 93% young) are provided with basic training on traditional birth attendants, rapport building and communication for paramedics, gender workshops and disabilities. 

During any national and international calamities, GK always tries to respond as early as possible through medical services, reconstruction of damaged houses, and food distribution, including safe drinking water. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, GK was working 24/7 across the board. Efforts included various preventive measures in the hospitals and at the community level, including the development of a rapid test kit to detect COVID-19 named GR COVID-19 Rapid Dot Blot, raising fund for an Emergency Food Distribution Program, taking steps to increase social awareness about COVID-19 using social media and distributing leaflets to the general public, establishing a Designated Flu Corner at the Savar hospital and organizing a COVID-19 Call Center to provide telemedicine support and advice (report here).

WSM partner in Bangladesh, Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK), the largest health provider after the Bangladeshi government, is one of the oldest non-profit, non-governmental, and national-level organizations in Bangladesh. GK is a people-oriented healthcare-based organization that provides services in health care, women's empowerment, education, disaster management, emergency relief, nutrition, water & sanitation, agriculture, basic rights-based advocacy, and research. Over the past five decades, GK has expanded its services to cover approximately 1.67 million people in 1,017 villages. GK serves mostly vulnerable and low-income groups in rural areas, mainly through its 44 rural sub-centers and six referral hospitals.

2020 COVID context in Bangladesh

In terms of COVID-19, Bangladesh is the second most affected country in South Asia, after India. The Bangladeshi government declared a lockdown from 23 March to 30 May. Throughout 2020, routine testing was never adopted in Bangladesh. Even though garment factories were allowed to continue operating under the country's lockdown, an estimated one million garment workers, or one-quarter of the workforce, were laid off due to declining orders for export. In April, hundreds of garment workers marched in Chittagong demanding factory owners pay them last month's wages following delays after over 500 garment factories in Dhaka and Chittagong had been shut down for a month. In 2020, a total of 7.781 deaths were registered in Bangladesh because of COVID.

Garment workers, health, elderly - Bangladesh in 2019

“My name is Tahmina and I’m 25 years old. I worked as a garment worker for a 5.300BDT salary (58 EUR) per month but later, I became an operator in another factory and there I received 7,300BDT (80 EUR) as monthly salary. In 2015, I became a member of NGWF and attended several trainings, meetings and processions. I learned about the rights of workers and received women leadership training. In 2017, I started to organize workers by myself and in July I was elected secretary of our union. In 2019 however, I was fired verbally without any further notice from the factory. One month later, a grievance notice was sent to me for legal payment of 105,838BDT (1,150 EUR) to the factory management. I filed a case against them with the help of NGWF and their Legal Aid. The case was solved and I received 100,000BDT (1,087 EUR) as compensation. With that money, I bought some land for farming. I feel honored to be a member of NGWF and my dream is to grow awareness about labor rights among workers”.

First, NGWF is helping its garment workers members through legal aid assistance and advocates for better working conditions in Bangladesh through rallies, hunger strikes, human chains, memoranda handovers to the government, etc). In total, 62.330 members have improved their existing job, for example through basic training on labor rights and advanced training on collective bargaining. NGWF is also helping their members to get better social security coverage. Over 100.000 workers (67% women and 84% youngsters) were made more aware about social security through posters and leaflets and 55.000 workers were reached through their media releases regarding the situation and rights of garment workers. Many of the staff and members of NGWF are young workers, since they focus on youth leadership and development.

I am Sumi from Bhola Barishal in Bangladesh. I am 25 years old. I was forced by my parents to marry at the age of 17. As a day laborer, my husband hardly had any work. At that time, we could only eat one meal a day. I could not take care for my family, so I went to Dhaka on my own. There, I joined a button factory at the age of 19, which my husband also joined later. After working there for a couple of years, we got our first daughter and later we got a second one. Hence, we felt sick several times during that year. It was very hard to live with a limited budget, since we had to spent a lot for doctor visits and medicines. Then, I heard about a medical camp near the factory where I work. I went there and took a health insurance of GK. Now we can visit a doctor and buy medicines at a lower cost. Together with my husband I participated in some awareness raising trainings on various health issues, personal hygiene and occupational health safety. I also try to teach my children about personal hygiene. Now, my family feels less sick thanks to the health services provided by GK. 

The second WSM partner in Bangladesh is Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK), the largest health provider after the Bangladeshi government. They started out by focusing on the rural areas, but now they also include garment workers. As it became clear in the above testimony, through the services of GK more people have enrolled in social security schemes or systems of social insurance (like pensions, maternity benefits, unemployment benefits, etc.). People also have improved access to health, because they subscribed to a health insurance system or were reached by activities offering health services by partner organisations, such as health camps, awareness raising, health insurance, day observation, personal hygiene, etc. In 2019, over 100.000 members (54% women and 79% youth) have achieved better access to health services. GK also provided over 150 people with vocational skill training to be able to find a better job and to have an improved income security. For example: after completion of computer and embroidery training, 40 out of 60 women got new jobs.

The exchanges between GK and OKRA regarding elderly also continued, with OKRA Coordinator Mark DeSoete and three other staff from OKRA visiting Bangladesh. They also invited an actor who, based on his experiences in Bangladesh, created a play that will tour around the OKRA meeting points in Flanders during 2020 raising awareness about the issues of elderly and social protection.

Last, a lot of people benefited from the services provided by the WSM synergy program in Bangladesh. Nazma for example got training on social protection and labor law arranged by the synergy activity. As an activist and women leader, she was motived to learn about important labor laws and rights. On the 22nd of April 2019, all workers put forward a Charter of Demand to their factory management. Now workers get a weekly holiday, attendance bonus, maternity leave and casual leave with payment, medical facilities, etc. “Workers are finally enjoying their rights, which is a great achievement for me”, said Nazma.

As an impact of the activities of the WSM partners in the past three years, the WSM supported activities contributed that over 60.000 people found a new job or improved their existing job. Almost 300.000 people had better coverage, be it for social security or access to health. Three important legislation were also passed to benefit garment workers: the minimum wage was increased; Safe Working Condition were improved and freedom of Association for trade unions and collective bargaining were better guaranteed.

In 2019, over 600.000 people reached through:
For labour standards: over 160.000 garment workers (60% women and 70% youth) reached through:

• Over 150.000 garment workers are more aware of their rights through campaigns and public outreach. 
• Almost 3.000 garment workers are newly organized
• Almost 400 received basic or advanced training 
• Over 3.200 garment workers received legal assistance. 
• Over 1.200 workers were mobilised to demand to increase the minimum wage. 

155 people got vocational skill training through GK, and they raised awareness regarding women driving.
200.000 workers were made aware of their social security rights and 30 got a basic training.
Almost 200.000 people were involved to improve their access to health because of GK, with 15.000 people getting direct medical attention.

Partners: NGWF, GK, OHS Initiative, BSPAN               Budget 2019: 100.000€
Donor: Own WSM funds                                                   Programme: 2017-2021

7th Anniversary of Rana Plaza Tragedy- lighting 7 candles - NGWF

Seven candles were lit on the 7th anniversary since the Rana Plaza Tragedy by the National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF) in front of their offices in Dhaka, in remembrance of the dead and injured workers. Two orphaned children were also present, besides the president Mr Amirul Haque Amin and selected central leaders.
At the time of the candle lighting, certain demands were put forward by the Federation in relation with Rana Plaza, but also related to the present COVID-19 situation:

About Rana Plaza

1. Punishment of Rana Plaza owner and six garment owners of Rana Plaza;
2. Establish a monument in remembrance of deceased workers of Rana Plaza on the land;
3. Ensure follow-up and medical service for the injured workers of Rana Plaza;
4. Demand of rehabilitation for the injured and families of deceased workers;
5. Continuation of the Accord until the formation of proposed Ready Made Garment Sustainability Council and until the negotiations are done between Buyers and the Trade Unions.

About the present corona-virus

1. Black-list the garment industries are open still and take steps to punish them;
2. Cancel their license and take measures against those owners who did not pay the full salary for the month of March;
3. Those who cut the four-days salary for March must pay these to the respective workers;
4. No fraud can be done to the workers in the name of lay-off. Garment Industries should remain closed under the general leave declared by the Government with full payment;
5. Garment industries can not open until the situation improves and public transportation are available;
6. No delays regarding the April salary and Eid bonus;
7. Stop postponement and cancellation of order, and demanding discount by Buyers
8. With owners and Government, the Buyers must also come forward to take the responsibility for the workers;
9. Initiate rationing system for garment workers by the government.

International Solidarity in times of Corona - WSM position

On the WSM website, a specific page here is dedicated to news about the Corona pandemic and more specific on the actions taken by the members of the Network on the Rigth to Social Protection all around the world.

The coronavirus is wreaking havoc and makes no distinction in race or class. In Europe, it was brought back by middle-class families returning from their ski trips. It weren't refugees, migrants, or Eastern European workers that brought this pandemic upon the Flemish people. In Belgium, authorities managed to take short-term drastic action with accompanying social measures. In other countries, the population is worse off. International solidarity is needed now more than ever. Today, tomorrow and the day after.

Read the full position of WSM on the need for International Solidarity to curb the effects of the pandemic and its social and economical consequences here, with a specific focus on elderly here.

Bangladesh - COVID-19: corona testing kits and food distribution

Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK), the biggest health provider in Bangladesh after the government, is at the forefront by developing a corona-virus testing kit (see our previous post here), GR Covid-19 Dot Blot, which would allow detect infection in 15 minutes.
After the green light to import the needed material, GK plans to have a first batch finished by the 11th of April, so that it can be submitted to WHO and the Bangladesh Government. If they approve it, they can start mass production. As previously reported, they want to make this testing kit available for as many people as possible, at a very affordable price of 200BDT(2 EUR), to avoid a massive outbreak.

GK has also started food distribution, with over 2.000 families assisted last week. These packages include rice, lentils, cooking oil and other necessities, with which a family should survive for one month. GK hopes to be able to help 100.000 families in one month. Follow their Facebook Page for more details. GK also invites people to support them here.

 The National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF) distributed rice, lentils, potatoes, onions, soap, and other essentials to 213 garment workers. Also,  Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Foundation (OSHE) distributed masks, gloves, soap and awareness leaflets among the ready-made garment workers. They called upon the Bangladeshi government to declare COVID-19 an Occupational Disease under the labour law.

According to OSHE, at present over a million of workers and employees in health service, waste recycling, food and medicine supply chain, ready made garments, tea plantation, mass media, bank and financial services etc. in Bangladesh continuing to serve at workplaces due to urgent national and commercial needs with potential health hazard and inadequate health and safety protection. Many of them potentially get infected with corona virus at work and on the way to work or get back home during this pandemic period require necessary legal protection.

Repon Chowdhury, Executive Director of the OSHE Foundation said “This is very much a genuine and timely demand under the context of present reality in Bangladesh. COVID-19 needs to be declared as an occupational disease under the present national Labour law immediately through an official executive order by the government towards ensuring health and safety rights of the working population at workplaces passing time with the vulnerability and risk of Covid-19 infection”.

Urgent efforts are needed to ensure that vulnerable group of workers and employees with COVID-19 should have appropriate access to proper housing, with space for quarantine and social distancing while sleeping and eating, potable water and proper sanitation facilities on and off the job, free health care, safe transport, safe work practices and income protection.

ILO overview of COVID-19 measures implemented by governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and the ILO for Bangladesh: link

GK to develop Corona test for Bangladesh

Dr. Kadir is the Coordinator of Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK) in Bangladesh. GK provides health care and health insurance to vulnerable populations in Bangladesh. He shares with us his current impressions regarding COVID-19 in Bangladesh, which is one of the most populated countries in the world and has a very poor health system:

As of 18th March, there are over 10 confirmed cases in Bangladesh. Moreover, the government has recently started to quarantine people. Recent figures tell that there are 2.314 people in quarantine.  Furthermore, schools and other institutions closed since yesterday (17th of March). But still, I think the government is already too late in taking serious measures, which they should have done two or even three weeks ago.

Nowadays it’s flu season, meaning there are more patients at the hospitals than normal. It is not always clear whether it’s just a cold, a normal flu or the corona virus. Bangladesh's largest vernacular daily Prothom Alo reported that only 1,732 testing kits were available in a country of nearly 180 million people.

That’s why GK is developing a coronavirus testing kit, using the Rapid Dot Blot technique. We were recently joined by Dr Bijon Kumar Sil, a micro-biologist, who was also involved in the making of a similar test in Singapore during the SARS outbreak in 2003. This meant we have the necessary skills to develop a testing kit, as this is the biggest challenge in Bangladesh now.  We are 70% finished with the test kit and hope to be able to start mass producing them soon, now that government also has given the green light (link).

How much will your corona test kit cost? 
I think it’s important to make this testing kit available for as many people as possible. We want to use it in our own GK hospitals, as well as in other health institutions, so we will sell the kit at a very affordable price (200BDT), since we’re not trying to create any profit from it, our main goal is to avoid a massive outbreak.

Which populations are you especially worried about?
The garment workers are of particular concern to us, since this sector employs over 4 million people in Bangladesh and they are mostly, women working in very crowded and small confined spaces. The risk of contamination is thus very high. So far, all garment factories are continuing working and very few are taking preventive hygiene measures. That’s why in the factories GK is present, GK is mainly focusing on prevention measures, such as hand washing, producing hand sanitizers, mouth masks, posters etc.

Also elderly are an important at-risk group, with worldwide much higher mortality rates if they get infected. However, so far in Bangladesh, very few elderly have been diagnosed with the virus. This is a bit of a paradox: many elderly are living more isolated, since they don’t have a job or most often continue living in the rural areas, while the young go to the city to work. Since they often have problems of mobility, they are already more likely to stay at home. While this issue of isolation is currently maybe preventing them from getting infected, if the virus becomes a pandemic, this might be a very big problem for them, since these same factors will put them even more at risk.

25 March update: Bangladesh in one week time has had 20 reported cases and one death, of an elderly gentleman.

Bangladesh: NGWF demands six months maternity leave

In light of the International Women’s Day 2020 on 8th of March, National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF) has demanded 6 months maternity leave in private sectors, including for the garment workers. The rally was held on Friday 6th of March 2020, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. M Amirul Haque Amin, President of NGWF, said that the government already declared 6 months maternity leave for the public sector, but the country’s private sector, including the garment industry, still has only 4 months maternity leave. NGWF also demanded the government of Bangladesh to ratify ILO Convention 190 to stop all types of violence and harassment against women. More than two hundred women joined the procession in front of National Press Club, carrying banners and festoons with demands of 6 months maternity leave and ratification of ILO Convention 190. The rally started in front of National Press Club and went to the High Court, Palton Circle including some other street and ended at Topkhana road.

Garment Workers Rally Demand for ratification of ILC102 and 190

From the National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF) 
Bangladesh is transforming from LDC to middle income country and at the same time the rate of GDP and average life expectancy of people have increased tremendously. Currently the total GDP is 317.47 Billion USD, the average income is 1.909 USD and GDP increases by 7.2%. Much of this comes from the hard work of the garment workers. Unfortunately, the government of Bangladesh has yet to ratify the ILO Convention 102 regarding Social Security of Workers and workers, including in the garment sector, are deprived of social security system.
Next to the need for social protection, women workers are the victim of different violence, including sexual harassment in the workplace. The government of Bangladesh also still has to ratify the ILO Convention 190 regarding Violence and Harassment.
On Friday 8th November  2019, NGWF arranged a garment workers’ rally demanding the ratification of the ILO Convention 102 and 190 which started with a brief assembly in front of the national press club. The rally then headed to the High Court, and ended at the central office of the Federation.