Why did more workers die in 2022?

Just as we start the New Year, a sobering report by Bangladesh Occupational Safety Health and Environment Foundation (OSHE) warns of an increase in workplace casualties in 2022 compared to the year before. The research found a total of 1,195 deaths in the workplace. The transport sector seems to be the most hazardous, with 425 deaths accounting for 40 percent of total occupational casualties. The next most dangerous workplace is the service sector, which includes utility services, workshops, restaurants and hotels. The agricultural sector and construction sector also had a high number of deaths.

This is just not acceptable, more so in a country that is on an upward development trajectory. The number of deaths and serious injuries in these sectors give us an idea of how the society and state view blue-collar workers. Even without the statistics, we have seen the risks workers are forced to take because employers are simply not bothered about ensuring basic safety for their employees. In the transport sector, the shocking number of fatal accidents occur mainly due to recklessness and the lack of enforcement of transport related laws. Bus and truck drivers, for instance, are required to make a certain number of trips and they try to fulfil the target at the cost of safety. Sleep-deprivation, drunk-driving, driving after consuming drugs, reckless speeding and overtaking, lack of experience, poor driving skills, unfit vehicles – all these factors contribute to deaths of not just passengers and pedestrians, but transport workers too. But why is the law not being enforced despite the horrifying statistics?

This seems to be the ultimate question that could lead us to a possible solution. We have laws that stipulate basic safety for workers, such as proper safety gear, helmets, face shields, goggles and gloves, as well as safety belts for construction workers, factory workers and utility service workers. But how many construction sites or workshops have even tried to implement these rules and regulations? Obviously, they think they will not face any consequences when a worker dies or is maimed for life. Sometimes, a token lump sum is given to the injured worker or the family of the deceased employee, though this is not always the case, and in many instances the amount is far from being adequate to help the family to survive or pay medical bills.

Unfortunately, we are a society that is grossly unequal especially in terms of how we value members of our community. This is why we need specific laws to be enforced that punishes employees with penalties and jail terms if they fail to ensure the safety of their workforce. Compensation clauses should be stringent and the amount payable should be high enough for employers to take safety measures seriously. The government's New Year resolution should be to take the research of OSHE and other such organisations, and compel employers to take major steps to ensure occupational safety. We must save the lives of those who are so crucial to our survival and growth.