Construction workers’ safety needs care

It is worrying to note that a huge number of people engaged in construction work in different places of the country including the capital city are deprived of professional safety, health care facilities, social security and professional training.  Construction is the second deadliest sector in Bangladesh in terms of workplace safety. According to a report of this newspaper on Wednesday, a total of 161 construction workers died in 2018 at their workplaces. The Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) observes that a total of 950 construction workers have died at the workplace in the last decade, with the numbers marking an upward trend year-wise. Electrocution and falling from walls and scaffolding usually caused those deaths.

Apart from workplace safet,y construction workers suffer from various construction-related health hazards including breathing problems, hearing loss and skin diseases. Very few victims receive medical assistance from the company they work for. This does not augur well. Since the construction sector, which mostly relies on unorganised labour, is one of country’s biggest job providers with nearly 3.5 million working in the real estate industry it demands proper attention of the relevant authorities. The industry mostly attracts migrant workers from villages who move to towns and cities due to a lack of jobs in their own areas. Workers in the construction industry are also poorly trained because their employers know that they can be easily replaced.

A huge number of women are also working in the construction sector. But fair wages or remuneration very often elude them. The treatment of both men and women should be equal in this sector. Engaging in paid employment is not an easy decision to make and once women eventually join the labour force they experience mixed outcomes.

It is the responsibility of the authorities concerned for ensuring proper wages for the people engaged in the construction sector. The government should ensure workplace safety and health care facilities for the people engaged in the sector. If a construction worker dies in an accident while working his/her family members should be adequately compensated. Minimum wage for women construction workers should be ensured so that they do not become victims of discrimination.   

 

 

Construction workers safety needs care

It is worrying to note that a huge number of people engaged in construction work in different places of the country including the capital city are deprived of professional safety, health care facilities, social security and professional training. Construction is the second deadliest sector in Bangladesh in terms of workplace safety. According to a report of this newspaper on Wednesday, a total of 161 construction workers died in 2018 at their workplaces. The Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) observes that a total of 950 construction workers have died at the workplace in the last decade, with the numbers marking an upward trend year-wise. Electrocution and falling from walls and scaffolding usually caused those deaths. Apart from workplace safet,y construction workers suffer from various construction-related health hazards including breathing problems, hearing loss and skin diseases. Very few victims receive medical assistance from the company they work for. This does not augur well. Since the construction sector, which mostly relies on unorganised labour, is one of countrys biggest job providers with nearly 3.5 million working in the real estate industry it demands proper attention of the relevant authorities. The industry mostly attracts migrant workers from villages who move to towns and cities due to a lack of jobs in their own areas. Workers in the construction industry are also poorly trained because their employers know that they can be easily replaced. A huge number of women are also working in the construction sector. But fair wages or remuneration very often elude them. The treatment of both men and women should be equal in this sector. Engaging in paid employment is not an easy decision to make and once women eventually join the labour force they experience mixed outcomes. It is the responsibility of the authorities concerned for ensuring proper wages for the people engaged in the construction sector. The government should ensure workplace safety and health care facilities for the people engaged in the sector. If a construction worker dies in an accident while working his/her family members should be adequately compensated. Minimum wage for women construction workers should be ensured so that they do not become victims of discrimination.