Volume 3 Number 1 2025
A Mixed-Methods Study on Occupational Health, Safety Compliance, and Labor Practices
Md. Mesbaul Haque 1*, Laboni Khatun 2, ASM Amanullah 2, A.B.S Mahbubar Rahman 3
Business and Social Sciences 3 (1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/business.3110374
Submitted: 29 June 2025 Revised: 31 August 2025 Published: 02 September 2025
Abstract
Background: Occupational health and safety (OHS) is a critical component of worker protection in Bangladesh’s construction sector, which relies heavily on manual labor. Despite regulatory frameworks such as the Bangladesh Labour Act (2006) and the Bangladesh National Building Code (2006), inconsistent implementation, limited safety training, and inadequate protective measures leave workers exposed to hazards including falls, electrocution, and machinery accidents. Understanding current practices and compliance gaps is essential for improving workplace safety and labor equity.
Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods approach to evaluate OHS practices across three major construction projects in Dhaka: the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, MRT Line-6, and the Dhaka City Neighborhood Upgradation Project. Primary data were collected from 50 participants via structured surveys, three focus group discussions, and six key informant interviews with contractors and project authorities. Secondary data were gathered from official reports, project documents, and literature. Quantitative analysis provided measurable compliance indicators, while qualitative data captured perceptions of workplace safety, fair treatment, and labor management.
Results: Findings indicate a mixed compliance scenario. While 60% of workers received formal wage orders and 70% reported equal pay for equal work, only 10% had leave entitlements and 40% lacked overtime compensation. Safety training covered 70% of workers, first aid was available to 90%, yet preventive safety measures and task-specific training were largely absent. Multinational contractors generally demonstrated higher compliance, whereas national contractors, particularly at DCNUP, showed significant gaps in procedural and preventive practices. Gender disparities were evident, with women concentrated in lower-income roles and experiencing pay inequities.
Conclusion: Although awareness of OHS and labor rights is improving, critical gaps remain in leave, pay equity, preventive safety measures, and task-specific training. Strengthening policy enforcement, promoting gender-sensitive labor practices, and investing in proactive safety measures are essential to protect workers and enhance productivity in Bangladesh’s construction sector.
Keywords: Occupational Health and Safety, Construction Workers, Labor Rights, Workplace Safety, Policy Implementation, Gender Equity, Bangladesh.
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