IndustriALL Global Union

09/15/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/15/2025 02:29

Bangladesh’s shipbreaking yards remain danger zones

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15 September, 2025Despite the Hong Kong Convention's entry into force earlier this year, serious workplace accidents continue to occur in Bangladesh's shipbreaking yards, raising urgent concerns about the lack of real change on the ground.

In the first week of September alone, two major incidents were reported from Chattogram. On 3 September, a worker at Chittagong Steel's yard sustained severe head injuries and remained in intensive care for three days at Chattogram Medical College and Hospital. Days later, on 7 September, another worker was seriously injured while cutting metal at Jamuna yard. Earlier in August, a powerful blast occurred at King Steel's yard, which left two workers with severe burns.

These repeated accidents underscore the urgent need to ensure that the promises of the Hong Kong Convention (HKC) are translated into reality on the ground. HKC was ratified by Bangladesh in 2023 and came into force in June 2025. While the Convention represents a critical first step towards safer yards, shipbreaking in Bangladesh continues to harm workers' lives due to negligence, poor enforcement of rules and lack of employer accountability.

Ashutosh Bhattacharya, IndustriALL South Asia regional secretary, said:

"The industry must move beyond paper compliance and ensure that shipbreaking yards truly become safe workspaces. Without genuine commitment from employers, effective government inspection and strong worker participation, Bangladesh's shipbreaking industry will remain among the world's deadliest industries despite the historic ratification of the Hong Kong Convention."


On 10 September, IndustriALL organized a roundtable in Chattogram with affiliated unions, government representatives and employers' association, reiterating the urgent need for trade union inclusion in the governance of the shipbreaking industry, particularly in the functioning of the Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board. The meeting called for the creation of a comprehensive worker database, the right to access information and recognition of trade union rights. Affiliates continue to advocate for the registration of unions under the group of establishments and streamlined processes to establish a trade union registration office in Chattogram.

Walton Pantland, IndustriALL shipbuilding and shipbreaking director, said:

"The safety crisis in shipbreaking needs to be addressed urgently. The reputation of Bangladesh as a safe destination for end-of-life ships is on the line and if the situation does not improve, the industry will lose out to competing countries. The best way to improve the situation is to involve workers through joint health and safety committees."


IndustriALL is in discussion with the ILO and GIZ to initiate a pilot programme on social security and employment injury benefits for shipbreaking workers in Bangladesh, similar to the ready-made garments sector. The employers' association also expressed its support for the initiative and urged the government to expedite its rollout.

  • Bangladesh

  • Shipbuilding and shipbreaking

  • Human & trade union rights

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