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 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.

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.