Editorial
Gazipur factory tragedy
Another rude reminder of worker interest coming last
THE blaze at Garib & Garib sweater factory near Gazipur on Thursday night, supposedly caused by electric short-circuit, that didn't spread beyond the confines of the first floor proved lethal nonetheless in its consequences. That is where the tragedy becomes all the more poignant. As though that was not enough, topped off as it was by a supreme irony that it was so very avoidable. As panicked workers in their desperate bid to escape flames rushed to the upper floors thickly circulating smoke choked up 21 of them to death. Such a large number dying from smoke inhalation, and not from burn injuries brings into sharp focus the dismal state of preparedness against fire-related accidents in a factory stacked with inflammable materials.
The very first question that arises is why the workers rushed upstairs rather than instinctively making a move to escape through the main gate or any other exit route? This raises suspicion that the main gate remained shut despite the obvious signs of a fire in the building. Why was this done? Apparently, there was no fire alarm system. Right through the heightening incidence of fire in the garments sector falling in a patern, the owners have been repeatedly warned against lack of three major safety precautions: first, having sufficient number of emergency exits, fire alarm systems in working order and maintenance of stipulated number of fire extinguishers. We hear that the sweater factory lacked all three of them. Perhaps there are others similarly ill prepared for any emergency. Besides, the garments factories are obliged to carry out fire drills to sensitise the workers about do's and don'ts which they seldom do.
When such negligence is shown to safety of workers who are the building blocks of the garments sector's success, the culpability of neglect must be too much of a guilt for the owners to bear. As more and more factories, despite their professed commitments to improving working conditions on the floor flounder on the basics of security would we be wrong in thinking that their self-interest and cost-cutting proclivities get the better of their best judgement when it comes to upgrading working conditions of people under their employ most of whom happen to be women?
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