Exploiting vulnerability

We find it appalling that there can be such blatant disregard for human life. In a harrowing image published in The Daily Star yesterday, the failure to ensure workers' safety was shamefully evident. In the photograph, a worker of a power distribution company was seen to be working without any safety gear, precariously leaning against a bamboo plant against power cables. 

This is not an unusual scenario in Dhaka. Standard safety tools such as elevated working platforms, professional grade insulated work boots, gloves and harnesses are barely ever provided.  The Economist's Safe City Index 2017 ranked Dhaka among the three lowest ranking cities in terms of safety. The Economist Intelligence Unit which uses 49 indicators including infrastructure security and personal security to make the report, found Dhaka to have ranked 58th among the 60 cities, with overall points of 47.37.

Much of the workforce that engages their labour force in hazardous situations is part of the informal labour force. Labour experts say such vulnerability is resultant of the informal nature of jobs where workers are not provided with appointment letters, end-of-service benefits, insurance coverage or safe workplace. In addition, much of the informal labour force is comprised of people from lower socio-economic strata and is outside labour or social protection. 

Displaying such blatant disregard for human life is unacceptable. We hope steps are taken to formalise the labour sector so that workers are eligible for at least the provision of basic safety gear at workplaces. The government must ensure that the vulnerability of those who have no option but to risk their lives to earn a living is minimised as much as possible.