The law and the 2026 changes
The Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 covers health, hygiene, safety and welfare in Chapters V to VIII. The Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Act 2026 took effect on 10 April 2026. It rewrote the rules on accident reporting (ss.80 to 82), the safety committee (s.90A) and penalties (ss.307 and 309). It also added new protections for workers (ss.61A and 319A).
The English text on the government site only runs to 2013. Use the Bengali consolidated text, or this summary, for the current rules.
Fire safety
Fire is the hazard Bangladesh knows best. Section 62 requires:
- an alternative staircase, and enough fire-fighting equipment on every floor;
- exit doors that open outwards and stay unlocked during work;
- fire exits marked in red Bangla lettering, and an audible alarm;
- a fire drill at least every 6 months where 50 or more people work, with a record book.
Factory buildings also need a structural certificate. Older buildings need a stability and load certificate from a recognised civil engineer. Newer ones need a certificate that they meet the Bangladesh National Building Code. Multi-storey factories must follow the Code's sprinkler rules (Rule 53).
Machinery, PPE and first aid
- Sections 63 to 78 cover machine guarding, cranes and lifting gear, hoists, pressure plant, floors and stairs, heavy loads, eye protection, fumes and explosive dust.
- PPE (s.78A): nobody works without the PPE they need. Keep a PPE record book, and train workers on the hazards of their job. A worker who has PPE but won't use it is liable too.
- First aid (s.89): one first-aid box per 150 workers, kept by a trained person. A sick room at 300 workers, and a medical centre at 5,000.
- Safety records (s.90): a safety record book and a safety notice board where more than 25 people work.
Safety committees and welfare officers
Every establishment with 50 or more workers must form a safety committee (s.90A, 2026). The committee tells the employer about risks, accidents, dangerous occurrences and diseases it finds.
Under Rule 81 the committee has 6 to 12 members, split equally between employer and workers. The employer names the chair, and the union or participation committee names the co-chair.
| Workers | Committee members |
|---|---|
| 50 to 500 | Up to 6 |
| 501 to 1,000 | 8 |
| 1,001 to 3,000 | 10 |
| 3,001 or more | 12 |
A welfare officer is needed where 500 or more people work (s.89).
Refusing dangerous work
The 2026 amendment added section 61A. Say a worker tells a superior that a job seriously threatens life or health. The employer can no longer force them to do it. A worker who leaves an imminent, serious danger cannot be disciplined. If work stops for safety, the worker can be moved to safer work on the same pay and terms.
Section 319A protects people who complain. Inspectors must keep the complainant's name confidential, and a worker who is victimised can go to the Labour Court.
Reporting accidents
| What happened | What to do |
|---|---|
| Death, injury, explosion, fire, or an inrush of water or fumes | Straight away, tell the Government, Fire Service, DIFE, the police station and, if needed, a hospital, by phone, SMS or fax. Then send written or digital notice within 2 working days to the DIFE Inspector and the Department of Labour office (s.80, 2026). |
| Dangerous occurrence, even with no injury | Notify within 3 days (s.81, 2026). The Rules use Form-27(B). |
| Occupational disease (Second Schedule) | Notify in writing and record it within 2 working days (s.82, 2026). |
| Injury keeping a worker off for 48 hours to 20 days | Report within 7 days (Rules 69 to 73). |
After a death or disabling injury, leave the scene as it is until the inspector visits, or for at least 3 days. Record every accident in the Form-28 register. Send a report to the Inspector every six months.
Construction and work at height
The Rules treat work 3 metres or more above ground, or 2 metres below, as hazardous work (Rule 68). For building, bridge and demolition work, Schedule 3 of the Rules requires:
- safety nets no more than 3 metres below any edge;
- safety belts and lifelines rated at 1.5 times the worker's weight where someone could fall;
- training in how to use them, and regular maintenance.
DIFE publishes a Bengali inspection checklist for construction. See also our working at height hub.
Penalties
| Result of the breach (s.309) | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|
| Loss of life | 4 years in prison, a fine of up to Tk 1,00,000, or both |
| Serious injury | 2 years, a fine of Tk 50,000 to 1,00,000, or both |
| Other injury or danger | 6 months, a fine of Tk 10,000 to 20,000, or both |
| General offences (s.307) | 3 months, a fine of Tk 25,000 to 50,000, or both |
The court can order the fine paid to the injured worker or their family. A second conviction within 2 years doubles the penalty (s.308).
Quick check for your site
- Exits unlocked and opening outwards, signs in red Bangla, and a working alarm.
- Fire drills every 6 months, with the record book up to date.
- A safety committee if you have 50 or more workers.
- PPE issued and logged, and workers trained on their hazards.
- A structural certificate for the building.
- Phone numbers posted for the Fire Service, DIFE, the police and the nearest hospital.
Sources
- বাংলাদেশ শ্রম আইন, ২০০৬ (consolidated Bengali text), Laws of Bangladesh, Ministry of Law.
- Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Act 2026, Laws of Bangladesh, Ministry of Law.
- The Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 (English, to 2013), Laws of Bangladesh, Ministry of Law.
- Bangladesh Labour Rules 2015, DIFE.
- Inspection checklists and SOPs, DIFE.
This is practical guidance, not legal advice. Check the current official text and your site's own procedures.
