758 people lost their lives at workplaces in 2024

Although it is a decrease compared to the previous year, 758 farmers and workers were killed in 639 accidents while at work across the country in 2024. Workers who died in road accidents on their way to and from work are also included in this count.

The highest number of deaths were reported by 58 farmers, who were struck by lightning while working in the fields to meet the food needs of the people. And eight more died in boats on the river for fishing and in the service or other sectors. Of the remaining three, one was in construction and two were in manufacturing.

In 2023, 875 farmers and workers were killed in 772 workplace accidents, a decrease of 13.37 percent compared to the outgoing year.

The Safety and Rights Society (SRS) has compiled the statistics based on news published in 15 national and 11 local newspapers on the number of farmers and workers killed in workplace accidents and the current labor situation.

The organization said that the highest number of workers died in workplace accidents, 379, in the transport sector. This is followed by 129 in service organizations such as workshops, gas, and electricity supply. Of the rest, 92 were killed in the construction sector, 70 in factories and other manufacturing establishments, and 86 in the agricultural sector.

A review of the causes of death showed that 464 people died in road accidents, 81 in electrocution, 69 in lightning strikes, 50 in falls from scaffolding or above, 30 in fires and various explosions, 21 in the impact of or crushing under a hard or heavy object, 17 in drowning, 11 in exposure to chemicals or toxic gases from septic tanks or water tanks, seven in landslides of mountains or soil, bridges, buildings or roofs and walls, and eight in other causes.

The SRS report says that of the 69 people who died in lightning strikes in 2024, all died while working in open areas.

The organization said that death by lightning strike have occurred in at least 29 districts. The highest number was six in Sylhet.

On Tuesday (December 31), SRS Executive Director Sekender Ali Mina said in the capital that the most lightning deaths occurred in paddy fields which is 44. In addition, two died in salt fields, eight in livestock farms, and three while fishing.

“A little awareness and preventive measures could have saved these lives,” he said.

Sekender Ali Mina said that most of the farmers and workers who died were between the ages of 21 and 40, that is, young people. The financial loss of these deaths has not been estimated either.

He urged the interim government to take appropriate measures to ensure workplace and social security, saying that at least 15 families of deceased farmers and agricultural workers have not received compensation.

Professor of Geography and Environment Department of Dhaka University Dr. Shahidul Islam told Views Bangladesh that lightning has occurred more during the current heat wave season. Therefore, awareness measures were more necessary.

Regarding the reason for the high number of deaths due to lightning, he said, "Since there are not many trees or high places now, lightning will hit people first."

According to the Disaster Management Department, the government is implementing a project to install about 7,000 lightning rods and build shelters in 15 districts at a cost of Tk 1,321 crore.

However, Sekender Ali Mina said that it is the workers who die while working in agriculture who face the most problems. Their owners are either not found or are unable to pay compensation. Therefore, the Workers Welfare Fund is of some use. Its meeting has not been held since the fall of the Awami League government.