Economy
BGMEA Partners with Simon Project to Improve Worker Health Data Collection
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has expressed its endorsement for the Simon Project, an initiative led by the Simon Institute in London, UK, and jointly funded by Associated British Foods and the German Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ). This project aims to gather recurring data to calculate the ratio of non-fatal accidents in Bangladesh.
The launch of the Simon Project took place at the BGMEA Complex in Dhaka, with the presence of Faruque Hassan, BGMEA President, and Javier Chercoles PhD, Director of Simon Institute. BGMEA Senior Vice President S. M. Mannan (Kochi), Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Directors Faisal Samad, Abdullah Hil Rakib, Navidul Huq, and Rajiv Chowdhury were also in attendance.
The Simon Project will establish an innovation site at the BGMEA headquarters in Dhaka and implement IT tools in 9 BGMEA medical centers. This collaborative effort will involve international and local forensic teams, including the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) and Dhaka Medical College, to train paramedics and doctors for collecting critical health incidence data related to minor injuries, health issues, and Covid incidence.
This data will play a crucial role in calculating insurance provisions for all RMG (Ready-Made Garment) workers, which can be funded by private insurance companies and/or the public sector. It will also aid in determining financial contributions from factories and international brands.
The Simon Project, initiated in 2022, has already started collecting data from 50 factories, gathering health incidence data for over 200,000 workers. Expanding the project to the 9 medical centers of the BGMEA will enable data collection for all RMG workers in Bangladesh. This project aligns with the BGMEA’s goal of providing social protection for all RMG workers and is complementary to the Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) supported by the ILO and GIZ.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
