International Trade Union Confederation Bangladesh Council (ITUC-BC) has expressed its deep concern over the death of 52 workers and injury of more than 30 workers in a horrific fire at Hashem Food and Beverage Limited factory in Karnagop area of Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj.
In a statement, ITUC-BC Chairman Anwar Hossain and Secretary General Md. Mojibur Rahman Bhuiyan have demanded legal action against the culprits as it appears that the authorities killed the workers in a planned manner by blocking the exit of the factory and preventing rescuers from entering during the fire.
ITUC-BC has demanded compensation by following the international standard (Loss of Year Earning) for deceased workers identifying through DNA tests and proper treatment, rehabilitation and compensation for victim workers. ITUC-BC also called on the government to take action by forming a judicial inquiry committee against all those directly and indirectly responsible for the incident.
ITUC-BC called for sharing the work done by the factory inspection department on the deviations of the factory especially about the recruitment of child workers and the role of the police, industrial police and fire service in the incident. It also called for the inclusion of workers’ representatives in the inquiry committee
ITUC-BC notices that such incidents are recurring due to inefficiency, negligence and indifference of the concerned authorities of the government. ITUC-BC called for the implementation of the recommendations of the previously formed commission to prevent its recurrence.
