Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL), proudly announces the launch of life insurance coverage for waste workers, as a part of its plastic waste management initiative in Chattogram.
In line with its global ambition to end plastic pollution through reduction, circulation, and collaboration, Unilever is driving a transformative change in the plastic waste value chain in Bangladesh. Since 2020, the company has established an innovative and scalable circular model for plastic waste, successfully collecting more plastic than what it uses in its product packaging.
Despite their crucial role, waste pickers often face significant challenges, working under hazardous conditions with limited access to safety measures and personal protective equipment (PPE). They collect and sort up to 60% of recyclable plastic waste but frequently endure severe health and safety risks, including injuries and fatalities.
To address these issues, UBL has collaborated with government, experts, and NGOs to create a socially-just circular economy. In partnership with MetLife Bangladesh and Young Power in Social Action (YPSA), UBL’s groundbreaking initiative aims to enhance the wellbeing and livelihood of Chattogram’s waste workers by providing comprehensive life insurance coverage.
The agreement signing ceremony 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, along with other senior officials.
Under this initiative, 1,827 waste workers involved in the plastic waste management programme will receive life and health coverage, ensuring their financial stability. Eligible workers can receive compensation of up to BDT 150,000, with benefits extending to 100% of the insured sum for specified medical conditions. The scheme also includes reimbursements for essential healthcare costs, such as physician consultations and hospital charges.
Zaved Akhtar, Chairman and Managing Director of Unilever Bangladesh Limited, stated, “Unilever Bangladesh has been championing the Plastic Sustainability initiative as part of its commitment to ending plastic pollution. The individuals collecting plastic in the informal economy play an integral role in our solution— without them, scaling plastic collection is impossible. By enhancing the health, safety, and human rights of waste workers, we set a benchmark for a socially-just circular economy today. I believe this initiative will encourage others to step forward, and together we can build a more equitable future.”