Occupational Health, Safety and Extreme Poverty: A Qualitative Perspective from Bangladesh

Abstract

Abstract:Background: Poor occupational health and safety damages many lives and livelihoods which impedes economic growth. Poor and unsafe work conditions are both a cause and consequence of extreme poverty. Both reinforce each other negatively. The significance of occupational health and safety is particularly strong in countries like Bangladesh where it is not addressed or explored much. Methods: This study focuses on urban and peri-urban Bangladesh drawing from: 15 Life History (LH) interviews with people who became disabled during work, 10 in-depth interviews with vulnerable workers in high risk environments; and key informant interviews (KII) with five senior management officials in high risk workplaces. Result: Other studies have also been consulted on occupation safety in rural and urban Bangladesh. Findings confirm that extreme poor people are not only disproportionately drawn into high risk and unhealthy jobs but also the accidents and health problems that arise from these jobs exacerbate poverty. Employers were found to be reluctant to take responsibility for workers and any support offered to injured workers was mainly done out of charity. Sub-contracting was found to be potentially harmful practice of the business/industry owners which makes workers more vulnerable. Conclusion: The paper concludes that occupational health and safety in Bangladesh should be a higher priority in discussions of extreme poverty, its consequences and its solutions.

Health vulnerabilities of readymade garment (RMG) workers: a systematic review

“…In addition, sexual harassment at workplace, low wages and repetitive strain from physically demanding and intense work also make the workers vulnerable. However, health issues represent the most significant among the vulnerabilities faced by the workers during their working tenure in the readymade garment (RMG) sector [3–5]. While the extent and nature of health vulnerabilities related to working in the RMG trade vary between countries, it is evident that RMG workers of South and Southeast Asia are the most affected by the unhygienic and unsafe nature of their workplace conditions [3, 4, 6–10].…”

“…However, health issues represent the most significant among the vulnerabilities faced by the workers during their working tenure in the readymade garment (RMG) sector [3–5]. While the extent and nature of health vulnerabilities related to working in the RMG trade vary between countries, it is evident that RMG workers of South and Southeast Asia are the most affected by the unhygienic and unsafe nature of their workplace conditions [3, 4, 6–10]. Specific countries of South and Southeast Asia (such as China, Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan) can be considered the main RMG product exporters to the world mainly because of cheap (i.e.…”

“…Specific countries of South and Southeast Asia (such as China, Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan) can be considered the main RMG product exporters to the world mainly because of cheap (i.e. low wages) and available labour, simple or no technology/prior skills required for the job, and the lack of alternative job options, particularly for women [3, 11–13]. While low-cost employment availability is important, factory owners tend to minimize production costs of RMG merchandise so that they can be competitive and attract international buyers.…”

Agricultural Farm-Related Injuries in Bangladesh and Convenient Design of Working Hand Tools

“…Occupational health and safety in Bangladesh should be a higher priority in the alleviation of extreme poverty as the economy of Bangladesh is based on agriculture [13]. In a developing country like Bangladesh, the public healthcare system is usually very poor.…”

Sweeping practices, perceptions and knowledge about occupational safety and health hazards of street sweepers in Dhaka city, Bangladesh: a qualitative inquiry

“…5 In Bangladesh, the situation of work-related safety and health hazards is problematic and the risk of health hazards varies among different working groups. 6 Street sweepers of Dhaka City are a working group who play an integral role in solid waste management and are exposed to a high number of risk factors during their works. Moreover, their occupational safety and health hazard has been crucial since they play important role for maintaining the hygiene and health of the city through their routine physical appearance at workplaces.…”