Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL), the country’s leading Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company, has introduced Bangladesh's first-ever life insurance policy for waste workers under its plastic waste management initiative in Chattogram.
Aligned with its global mission to combat plastic pollution through reduction, circulation, and collaboration, UBL has been transforming the plastic waste management system in Bangladesh. Since 2020, the company has implemented a circular model, collecting more plastic than it uses in its packaging, reads a press release.
Despite their essential contributions, waste workers often operate in hazardous conditions without adequate safety measures or personal protective equipment (PPE). They handle up to 60% of recyclable plastic waste, yet face significant risks, including injuries and fatalities.
To address these challenges, UBL has partnered with MetLife Bangladesh and Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) to provide life insurance and healthcare coverage to waste workers. The initiative, part of UBL's commitment to fostering a socially-just circular economy, ensures financial stability and improved wellbeing for 1,827 waste workers in Chattogram.
Under the scheme, workers will receive life and health insurance coverage of up to 150,000 BDT for medical conditions and 300,000 BDT in case of accidental death. Additional benefits include reimbursements for healthcare expenses such as physician consultations and hospital charges.
The signing ceremony for the initiative was attended by Zaved Akhtar, Chairman and Managing Director of UBL; Ala Ahmad, CEO of MetLife Bangladesh; Md. Arifur Rahman, CEO of YPSA; Shamima Akhter, Director of Corporate Affairs, Partnerships & Communications at UBL; and Md. Kamruzzaman, Director and Head of Employee Benefits, MetLife Bangladesh.
Zaved Akhtar, Chairman and Managing Director of UBL, emphasized the significance of the initiative, saying:
"Waste workers are integral to the success of our plastic collection efforts. This insurance coverage sets a benchmark for a socially-just circular economy and underscores our commitment to enhancing their safety, health, and human rights. We hope this initiative inspires others to join us in creating a more equitable future."
Ala Ahmad, CEO of MetLife Bangladesh, added:
"This collaboration underscores the critical role of insurance in building resilient communities. We are proud to support waste workers and provide them with the confidence to secure their future."
Md. Arifur Rahman, CEO of YPSA, remarked:
"This partnership not only enhances plastic waste management but also improves the livelihoods and safety of waste workers. Together, we are empowering them for a brighter and more secure future."
Since launching its plastic waste management project in Chattogram in 2022, UBL has collected over 21,750 tonnes of plastic waste and upskilled more than 3,000 waste workers, significantly improving their socioeconomic conditions. With a multi-stakeholder approach, the initiative now targets 10% of Chattogram’s plastic waste, aiming to positively impact over 5,000 waste workers.
This groundbreaking initiative underscores Unilever’s commitment to sustainability and social equity, setting a benchmark for addressing both environmental and human challenges in Bangladesh.
