Bangladesh Reviews Progress on Disability Inclusion in Textile and Leather Sectors

Government officials, industry leaders, and development partners gathered in Dhaka to assess progress and chart future directions for disability inclusion in Bangladesh's vital textile and leather industries. The event, organized by the Bangladesh Business and Disability Network (BBDN) with support from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, focused on the lessons learned from initiatives aimed at creating more inclusive workplaces. Representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), and industry bodies like the BGMEA and BKMEA participated. The program specifically highlighted the successes of the Social Protection for Workers in the Textile and Leather Sector (SOSI) project. Among its key achievements were the implementation of Return-to-Work (RTW) systems in export-oriented factories, the development of training modules on RTW and occupational medicine, and support for Bangladesh's Employment Injury Scheme (EIS). These modules have now been officially handed over to the National Occupational Safety, Health Training and Research Institute to ensure their continued use and institutionalization. The discussions spanned policy alignment, practical implementation, and future career pathways in occupational health. Md Forhad Siddique, Inspector General of DIFE, stressed the importance of collaboration among government, employers, and workers to strengthen occupational safety and health systems. He emphasized that ensuring workplace safety and effective return-to-work systems are essential for a sustainable society.

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For a sustainable society, it is required that we ensure safety in workplaces and systems to return to work after injury.