FE Report
At least 538 workers were killed in 399 workplace accidents across the country in 2021, according to a survey revealed on Friday.
The survey, conducted by Safety and Rights Society (SRS), also said some 432 workers were killed in 373 workplace accidents across the country in 2020.
The transport sector saw the highest death of 150 workers in 2021, followed by the construction sector 138 and the manufacturing sector 112.
The findings of the survey were disclosed at a press conference organised by SRS at its head office in the city on the day.
Sekender Ali Mina, executive director of SRS, presented the key information while legal officer of the organisation Hasina Khanam also spoke on the occasion.
The survey was conducted based on reports published in 15 national dailies and 11 local newspapers.
Negligence and incapability of the authorities concerned to ensure safety were the key reasons for such deaths, the report said.
At least 86 people died in the service sector while 52 in the agriculture sector, it said, adding that electrocution, fire incidents and lightning strikes caused at least 203 deaths in 2021.
Sekender Ali Mina said the Covid-19 pandemic came as a blow to the workers for two consecutive years.
On one hand, many workers had lost their jobs and on the other hand, they had fallen victim to accidents in their workplaces, he added.
"Decent working environment is a must for sustainable development and expenditure on ensuring the safety of workers should be considered as an investment," he said.
Hasina Khanam said it is the employer's responsibility to provide the workers with personal protective equipment and ensure workplace safety.
The authorities concerned must enforce the laws strictly and monitor safety measures taken by the employers, she added.
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