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FINALLY the BGMEA seems to have become active to check it. Over 300 workers have so far been killed in garment factory fires since 1990 and such incidents continue to occur to kill workers even today.
From the activities carried out by investigating authorities following a fire incident, it appears that they are more inclined to exclude owners from any blame and subsequently from the charge sheet. We can assume that some dubious deals take place under the table work. In all cases it is seen that committee reports gather dusts, no significant action is taken. It is alleged that an investigation report sometimes is altered in a way so that it rather helps the factory owner claim insurance money.
Factory owners, despite recurring incidents of deaths from fire and stampede, never paid any heed to the call for maintaining better working and safety standards. In most of the factory buildings there are no fire exits and the main gates are kept under lock and key by security personnel who run away at any sign of trouble. And certainly the conditions inside are highly unhygienic.
The garment factory workers deserve better treatment at the hands of employers as they are the ones who work behind the machines for earning millions for the owners. A little compassion and financial incentives can make them more dedicated to their jobs.
Fauzia Amin
Niketon, Gulshan
Dhaka
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