Dhaka: At least 456 construction workers were killed and 463 others sustained injuries during their respective works across the country in last five years till December 31 in 2016.

M Yusuf Al Mamun, Information Coordinator of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) disclosed this while presenting a paper titled 'Professional Protection of Construction Workers and Social Security: Bangladesh Perspective' at a journalists' orientation workshop at BILS' Dhanmondi office on Wednesday.

Among the casualties, 85 workers were killed and 97 others injured in 2016, 61 killed and 119 other injured in 2015, while 102 were killed and 64 injured in 2014, 95 killed and 63 injured in 2013, and 113 killed and 120 injured in 2012.

He said around 3.7 million workers across the country, including the capital city, are involved in construction related works. They are risking their lives by not using protection equipment.

Moderated by BILS executive director Sayed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, among others, BILS joint secretary Dr Wajedul Islam Khan, leader of Sramik Karmachary Oikkya Parishad Noimul Ahsan Jewel, general secretary of Imarat Nirman Sramik Union Bangladesh Abdur Razzak, general secretary of Bangladesh Nirman Sramik Federation Farid Ahmed and general secretary of Nirman Sramik Leaguer Sheikh M Nurul Hoque took part in the discussion here.

Chairman of Sociology department of The People's University of Bangladesh and Jesmin Juy, programme officer of BILS CSR unit jointly presented another paper on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), social justice and workers' welfare at the programme.