Not enough being done in BD RMG factories: ILO

FE Report Saddened by the tragic loss of life in a devastating fire at Aswad Composite Mills the chief of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) said Wednesday that not enough was being done to stop recurrence of mishaps and disasters in Bangladesh garment factories. "This latest fire to affect the ready-made garment (RMG) sector in Bangladesh reflects the sad and shocking truth that not enough is being done to address the safety and health of garment factory workers," a statement issued by the ILO headquarters in Geneva quoted ILO Director-General Guy Ryder as saying. At least seven people were killed as a devastating fire swept through the Aswad Composite Mills at Maona in Sreepur of Gazipur Tuesday night, the statement said. Despite the staggering loss of life over the past years, workers are still dying for reasons that could well be avoided if decent working conditions were in place. Following the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in April this year which killed more than 1,100 people, the Bangladeshi government and its social partners were said to be collaborating to improve working conditions, strengthen labour inspections and upgrade building and fire safety in RMG factories around the country, the statement said. "But all efforts and commitments will be in vain until they translate into concrete actions to avoid further loss of life or injury to workers. The ILO, as always, stands ready to assist the social partners," the statement further quoted the ILO DG as saying. "The fire at Aswad Composite Mills should not be just the latest tragedy to beset the industry. It must be the last," he added.