Construction accounts for highest workers\\\' deaths

According to a survey, construction sector has accounted for the highest number of workers' deaths so far this year. In last ten months, there were 105 accidental deaths at construction sites at a staggering rate of more than 10 deaths per month. Since no case of suicide was reported, there can be no other reason for such tragic loss of life than safety flaws. Accidental deaths at construction sites keep on happening without any respite. Walking down the streets and looking around, we are struck by the absence of safety arrangements at most building sites. Over the years, workers are seen working on the outside wall of an under-construction building 60 to 70 feet above the ground without a safety belt or a helmet, with only a rope wrapped around their waists. The main reason why workers fell from high places was poorly-made scaffolds and lack of ropes and harnesses. The incorrigibility of the situation can better be imagined than described.
The country experienced a construction boom at the beginning of the millennium when real estate developers converged in property business in large numbers. Dhaka witnessed a phenomenal growth in high rise structures. Huge employments were generated, and construction sector transpired as one of the principal employers of the country. Alongside offering employment opportunities, increased construction activities created a higher demand for construction materials, such as, cement, rod etc. Hosts of factories, including a few multinationals, came forward and established cement factories. Scores of re-rolling mills sprang up.
Construction boom was both the cause and effect of a sharp rise in real estate business, which turned into a money spinner overnight. People associated with it made their fortunes. At the same time, there was a mushroom growth of real estate companies, and apartment prices soared at a hyper-galloping speed and soon went beyond the reach of  many. Sadly, the same people who became millionaires overnight riding the booming business, cared very little for the well being and future of the business itself. They ignored many things required for sustenance of the industry with safety topping the list. Very little attention was paid to this aspect which remained as the most vulnerable area over the years.
The aforementioned survey revealed that of the total of 260 deaths from workplace accidents in the first ten months of the current year, 105 happened in the construction sector, i.e., more than 40 per cent. Dhaka saw the highest number of deaths in the country -- 72. It may be recalled, that a total of 3,036 workers died from occupational hazards in the past five years.
The services sector which includes hotels, workshops and power supply agencies had 70 deaths, while 60 deaths were recorded in factories and manufacturing organisations.
After the Tazreen fire and Rana Plaza collapse, the factory owners, buyers and the government have taken various initiatives to ensure safety in the garment sector but other sectors were hardly looked at, observed the executive director of the local NGO that conducted the survey.
It is a bizarre situation by any standard. Majority of the accidental deaths would not have occurred had there been a semblance of safety system in place. Additionally, in the absence of adequate legal provisions, the ones who own or run these workplaces are never penalised for the incidents of workers' deaths-- purely due to safety lapses. Furthermore, since the compensation amount is very low, employers do not give sufficient attention to ensure adequate safety measures there.
Electrocution remains as another major cause of worker deaths. Similar to previous years, the highest number of deaths was caused by electrocution in the last ten months, followed by falling from heights--40, and crushed to death by machinery or from falling of hard objects--28. Most incidents of electrocutions occurred when iron rods carried by construction workers came into contact with live electric lines. The study also noted that workers fall victim to electrocution often, as they are not provided protective equipment like helmet, gloves and shoes at work.
A dispassionate look at the scenario will reveal that the dead workers did not lay down their lives voluntarily, nor did the accident happen due to their faults or mistakes. By no stretch of imagination, the deaths can be categorised as accidental deaths. On the contrary, the ill-fated workers were dragged to the valley of death by a group of businessmen who consciously ignored the needs of their business itself. A death at an unsafe work place and under risky working conditions can not be termed as accidents, which will only allow the unscrupulous businessmen to get away with it.
Rather, it is a case of culpable homicide and people responsible should be tried as per provisions of law. The workers who die in workplaces are deprived of sufficient compensation due to a lack of standards and before anything else and without further loss of time, standards are to be set now. The only way to do it is to enforce legal provisions as they are and amend any relevant law, if deemed necessary.
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