ILO for improved safety measures, law enforcement

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) on Thursday expressed deep concern over the Bailey Road restaurant fire and similar other recent incidents.
It recognised the need for improved safety measures, regulatory reforms, and strict enforcement to prevent such tragedies in future.
The ILO Dhaka office in a statement issued extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the injured at the Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall on Bailey Road on February 29.
The devastating Bailey Road fire claimed the lives of at least 46 individuals and the latest gas cylinder fire in a residential area in Gazipur on March 13.
"These incidents illustrate the urgent need for both Bangladesh's authorities and building owners to ensure strict adherence to safety regulations and the meticulous enforcement of building codes to keep workers safe."
The tragic Bailey Road fire, originating from a restaurant in the Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall, underscored the devastating consequences of lax oversight and inadequate safety measures in commercial buildings, said the ILO.
The absence of fire exits, fire extinguishing systems, and proper evacuation routes, despite prior warnings, has resulted in a staggering loss of life and injuries, it commented.
"This serves as a stark reminder that immediate action must be taken to address structural failures, close loopholes in building codes, and prioritize the safety of people in and around buildings."
It underscores the imperative for an efficient industrial and enterprise safety framework, along with a robust enforcement and training system, to guarantee a systematic approach to mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery from all potential hazards.
The ILO also termed enhanced collaboration and partnerships between government departments, employers, workers' representatives and civil society 'crucial' in achieving this goal.
It called for a coordinated effort to prioritise safety measures, implement comprehensive training programmes and enforce regulations to ensure a resilient and secure environment for workers and the community at large.
According to the statement, the ILO is actively collaborating with Bangladesh government and other stakeholders to have a fully coordinated industrial safety framework, ensuring the optimal functionality of the Industrial Safety Units across all sectors to strengthen safety inspections.
The ILO will also support the government to update and implement occupational safety and health (OSH) regulatory and policy frameworks and implement the National Plan of Action on OSH.
"It's our hope that this tragic incident will lead to ownership from all stakeholders to approach the task of addressing safety deficiencies in workplaces across the country with renewed determination and urgency," reads the ILO statement.

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