A total of 1,053 workers were killed and 594 others injured in workplace accidents across the country in 2021, reveals a survey conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS).
Besides, 431 incidents of labour unrest took place in different sectors, including highest 172 in the readymade garment (RMG) industry, found the study.
BILS carried out the survey titled 'BILS Survey 2021 on Labour and Workplace, by analysing newspaper reports.
The think tank for labour matters disclosed the findings in a statement issued to news outlets on Sunday.
According to the survey, of the 1,053 workers killed in workplace accidents last year, 1,003 were male and 50 female.
Highest 513 workers died in transport sector, followed by 154 in construction sector, 87 in agriculture, 55 in food processing and 46 in day labour sector.
In addition to these, 18 were killed as migrant workers, 27 killed in fisheries sector, 24 in shipping, 12 in ship-breaking, 11 in power, four in RMG industry and 102 in other sectors.
In the previous year- 2020, at least 729 wage earners died in workplace accidents in different sectors, out of which 623 were male and six female.
Of the 594 workplace injury victims last year, 571 were men and 23 women.
Highest 176 workers were injured in the fisheries sector while 70 were injured in the transport sector, 45 in the construction sector and 44 in the ship breaking industry.
In the previous year 2020, total 433 workers--36 male and 48 female-were injured in workplace accidents.
The BILS data analysis found road crash, electrocution, lighting, fires, toxic gases, waterway accidents, wall or roof collapse and gas cylinder blast to be the key reasons behind the accidents.
At least 286 workers suffered abuses in workplaces, of whom 147 died and 125 wounded; and 232 of the total victims were male and 54 female.
The survey also found that 18 media personnel were injured in torture while performing professional duties.
Of the total 431 incidents of labour unrest last year, highest 172 took place in the RMG sector followed by 50 in the transport sector, 38 in the jute sector and 23 in the media.
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