186 workers killed in three months, call to strengthen workplace safety

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At least 186 workers were killed in workplace accidents in the first three months of this year. 185 of them are men. Most of the deaths occurred in the transport sector. Garment workers are more injured.

This information was presented in a seminar organized on the occasion of National Occupational Health and Safety Day-2026 today, April 28.

Bangladesh Institute of Labor Studies (BILS) organized the seminar titled ‘Safe Working Environment: Together for Everyone’. In this event held at the capital’s Sirdap Auditorium, the government, employers and labor organizations are urged to strengthen their joint efforts to ensure worker safety.

According to a newspaper-based survey by Bills, 185 of the 186 workers killed between January and March 2026 were men and 1 woman. Sector-wise, the highest number of 107 people died in the transport sector. 19 were killed in agriculture, 14 in construction, 11 migrant workers, 11 daily labourers, 9 in fisheries, 6 in electricity and 9 in other sectors.

At the same time, 335 workers were injured. Among them 319 men and 16 women. A maximum of 250 workers were injured in the garment sector. Apart from this, injuries have occurred in various sectors including workshops, transport, fisheries, footwear, steel mills, construction and hotels and restaurants.

735 workers died in workplace accidents in 2025. 439 of them belong to the transport sector. 73 in agriculture, 67 in construction, 35 in fisheries, 32 as day laborers and a significant number of workers lost their lives in other sectors including electricity.

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Speakers at the seminar said that after the Rana Plaza tragedy, there has been progress in building and fire safety in the garment sector. However, most workers in the informal sector are still unprotected. Lack of effective safety committees, limited inspection system, lack of safety of women workers and psychosocial risks—these still remain major challenges.

The discussion covered safety governance in industries, chemical risk management, sustainable urbanization and progress in the implementation of International Labor Organization (ILO) Conventions 155 and 187. The speakers said that safety should be made into an institutional culture rather than just relying on compliance. They further said that the situation cannot improve without effective labor law enforcement, strengthening inspections and practical initiatives in risk management. For this, evidence-based research and active participation of stakeholders is essential.

Participants in the seminar reached a consensus on formulating a ‘joint strategy’ to strengthen workplace safety. According to them, effective dissemination of information and research findings will increase coordination between workers, trade unions and policy makers and facilitate pragmatic decision-making.

Executive Director Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed conducted the seminar under the chairmanship of Bills Chairman Mojibur Rahman Bhuna. Officials of relevant ministries and departments, trade unions, industry and employers, researchers, academicians, human rights activists and representatives of international development organizations participated in the seminar.

Note that National Occupational Health and Safety Day is observed on April 28 every year. The aim of the day is to raise awareness on prevention of accidents and occupational diseases at work. On this day, various programs are also held in memory of the workers killed worldwide. This year the theme of the day is ‘Psychosocially Healthy Work Environment’.