Occupational accidents claim 435 lives in 2007: BILS

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FE Report
About 435 working people were killed and 1176 injured in different types of occupational accidents and violent occurrences in the year 2007, according to a survey report of the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS).
BILS Thursday released the Survey Report for 2007 for occupational accidents and violence at work place. It prepared the yearly survey report on the basis of national newspaper reports.
Among them 291 workers were killed and 550 workers injured in different occupational accidents only. Twenty-six workers were killed in road accidents on the way to and from their workplaces, the report added.
Due to violent attacks, clash and tortures 118 workers died and 626 workers injured in the year.
Twenty-two victims of the accidents and 44 of the violent attacks were women. 28 female workers were sexually violated, and among them at least eight workers were killed after rape.
The casualties in the deep sea due to Sidr hit in November 2007 were not calculated in this survey due to different opinions on the casualties. It was speculated that more than 2000 fishermen died in the Sidr.
Highest number of casualties found in construction sector. In this sector at least 105 workers killed and among them 103 workers killed in different workplace related accidents.
Second highest number of casualties happened in the sea where the fishermen died and injured due to cyclones and pirate attack. At least 45 fishermen died, 50 injured and there were 2000 cases of missing in the deep sea due to trawler capsizes. Besides, in pirate attacks at least 94 fishermen were kidnapped and 23 thrown into the sea.
Third highest number of killing of workers happened in RMG sector. 39 workers killed, 618 injured and 19 female workers sexually violated in this sector.
Domestic helps also faced severe violence at work in the year. About 63 occurrences of tortures and attacks killed 34 domestic helps and seriously injured 28. Six domestic workers were sexually violated. Among the deceased and injured 39 workers were children and among them 35 were girl children.