A total of 802 workers were killed in 713 workplace accidents across the country in 2025, including 385 in the transport sector, which is a reflection of the terrible insecurity in the workplace. In 2024, 758 workers were killed in 639 workplace accidents across the country. The number of deaths at work has increased this year from last year. 78 workers were killed in road accidents on the way to and from work.
The non-governmental organization Safety and Rights Society (SRS) released this information through a press release sent to the newspaper today as a result of a survey conducted based on news published in newspapers (15 national and 11 local). According to the analysis of the data obtained in the survey, the transport sector has killed the most workers in workplace accidents. This is followed by service institutions (such as workshops, gas, electricity supply institutions, etc.) with 145 deaths, 120 deaths in the construction sector, 58 deaths in factories and other productive institutions, and 94 deaths in the agricultural sector.
A review of the causes of death shows that 479 people died in road accidents; 96 died from electrocution; 78 died from lightning; 50 died from falling from scaffolding or above; 28 died from drowning; 25 died from being hit by or crushed under a hard or heavy object; 20 died in fires and various explosions; 14 died in the collapse of mountains or soil, bridges, buildings or roofs, walls; 8 died from exposure to toxic gases from chemicals or septic tanks or water tanks; and 4 died from other causes.
The survey observed that road structures, unfit vehicles, inefficient drivers, uncontrolled transport systems, obstruction of law enforcement, reckless driving, etc. were mentioned as causes of accidents in the transport sector. SRS has identified the causes of accidents in the manufacturing sector as not taking permission from the relevant department for the construction of factories, not training workers on safety, incompetence in the use of chemicals and connecting electrical lines without taking any safety measures in the construction sector, working on scaffolding without using safety fences and lack of necessary precautions while working in septic tanks or water tanks.
While releasing the survey data, SRS Executive Director Sekender Ali Mina said that the actual number of workers killed in workplace accidents is higher because not all workplace accidents are reported in the newspapers. He said that out of the 479 workers who died in road accidents in various sectors this year, 76 workers died on their way to and from work. The issue of worker safety while commuting to and from work should be given importance. In addition, the number of deaths due to lightning is increasing gradually. Agricultural workers who die in lightning do not receive any compensation. Social security arrangements need to be made for them.
Most of the workers who died this year were between the ages of 21 and 40, that is, the youth power. The financial loss caused by these deaths in work accidents is not estimated. He called on the current interim government to take appropriate initiatives to ensure social security of workers in addition to workplace safety.
Referring to the ratification of ILO Conventions 155 and 187 on health and safety at work, the press release further said – in the light of the said convention, a decent working environment should be ensured in every workplace through legal reforms and the formulation of rules and regulations.
It is to be noted that the Safety and Rights Society is a non-profit non-governmental development organization whose goal is to protect health and safety at work and the rights of the people. SRS has been trying to raise awareness to prevent accidents at work through training, discussions and exchange of views at different times. SRS is helping the families of workers injured and killed in work accidents to get financial assistance from the Bangladesh Workers’ Welfare Foundation along with free legal assistance to recover compensation.
