August 22, 2022
Bangladesh launches pioneering employment injury scheme for the garment sector
On 21 June 2022, Bangladesh launched a ground-breaking employment injury scheme – the first of its kind – providing income protection for workers in the country’s ready-made garment sector.
Work-related social protection
Protecting workers against risks to their incomes and livelihoods
Work-related social protection schemes cover specific risks and contingencies which are faced by workers, including illness, injuries, maternity and unemployment. However, many workers, particularly those in the informal sector, are not covered by such schemes. Only 35 per cent of the global labour force is protected in the event of employment-related injuries, and only one-third has income security in case of illness. Women of working age are less likely than men to be covered by comprehensive social security systems.
Work-related social protection schemes are an essential element of Universal Social Protection. They help to ensure the income and livelihoods of workers and their dependents, and also contribute to increases in productivity. For this reason, they are an important investment in inclusive economic growth.
Germany supports the introduction of occupational health and safety schemes which aim to prevent workplace injuries; the development of work-related social protection schemes, such as employment injury insurance; and the extension of social protection coverage to workers in the informal sector. The articles, events and studies on this page provide insights into how Germany supports social protection in the world of work.
Stories
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Bangladesh launches pioneering employment injury scheme for the garment sector
On 21 June 2022, Bangladesh launched a ground-breaking employment injury scheme – the first of its kind – providing income protection for workers in the country’s ready-made garment sector.
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How Nepal’s bold new social security system inspired a delegation from Bangladesh
The comprehensive social security measures Nepal introduced for formal sector workers raised the interest of neighbouring Bangladesh, a country on the brink of reaching middle-income status. With the support of German development cooperation, a Bangladeshi delegation undertook a study tour to Nepal and this resulted in rich learnings, for both sides.
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Helping Bangladesh’s injured workers return to work
A two-year intervention supported by German development cooperation has been working with employers in the export-oriented garment industry, Bangladesh’s largest employer, to implement voluntary rehabilitation and return to work policies which not only reduce time lost through accidents and disability but also save them money and makes them more attractive to overseas buyers.
Studies
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Costs and benefits of programmes to prevent occupational accidents and diseases in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector
A study commissioned by the Bangladesh-German Employment Injury Protection Scheme for Workers in the Textile and Leather Industries Programme (EIPS)
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Extending work-related social protection to informal workers in Pakistan’s Punjab province
Summary of a scoping study by Martina Bergthaller
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Healthy workers, healthy communities, healthy business
Supporting occupational health and safety in Bangladesh
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More than just good business
Employee Wellbeing Programmes in Ghana