Precautionary measures for fire safety in RMG stressed
Monday, 6 December 2010
FE Report
Speakers at a conference Saturday said both owners and workers of garment factories are responsible for frequent fire incidents in RMG sector.
Owners are not taking necessary fire safety measures while workers are unaware in this connection, they said.
They, however, suggested proper training of workers as well as operational training to protect both life and property.
Bangladesh National Council (BNC) organised a multi-stakeholders' conference on "Fire Safety in RMG in Bangladesh" at a city hotel, where stakeholders, representatives of garment owners and leaders of different labour organisations were present.
Speakers pointed out that workers' lack of consciousness and negligence to taking necessary protection like mask, head scarf and gloves were the main causes of fire accidents in RMG units.
On the other hand, most of the factories are yet to set up fire extinguishers in their units.
RMG owners are not taking awareness programmes for the workers, and even electrical engineers are not available in the factories, they observed.
Out of 4,800, only a few factories have so far ensured necessary facilities and given proper directions to the workers for their safety, they mentioned.
They suggested that the owners check up their factories before going into production to avert fire incidents.
Kased, a representative of a garment factory, said workers are not serious about fire safety. More training programmes are therefore needed for them, he added.
Labour leader Nurul Islam alleged that the government and the BGMEA used to speak sweet words but in practice they did not make any policy on fire safety so far.
BGMEA Director AKM Shahjahan said they have a fire cell to monitor and provide fire safety measures to its member factories.
He also said they do not allow new factories that have no fire protection measures.
BNC Chairman ZM Kamrul Anam presided over the conference.
Speakers at a conference Saturday said both owners and workers of garment factories are responsible for frequent fire incidents in RMG sector.
Owners are not taking necessary fire safety measures while workers are unaware in this connection, they said.
They, however, suggested proper training of workers as well as operational training to protect both life and property.
Bangladesh National Council (BNC) organised a multi-stakeholders' conference on "Fire Safety in RMG in Bangladesh" at a city hotel, where stakeholders, representatives of garment owners and leaders of different labour organisations were present.
Speakers pointed out that workers' lack of consciousness and negligence to taking necessary protection like mask, head scarf and gloves were the main causes of fire accidents in RMG units.
On the other hand, most of the factories are yet to set up fire extinguishers in their units.
RMG owners are not taking awareness programmes for the workers, and even electrical engineers are not available in the factories, they observed.
Out of 4,800, only a few factories have so far ensured necessary facilities and given proper directions to the workers for their safety, they mentioned.
They suggested that the owners check up their factories before going into production to avert fire incidents.
Kased, a representative of a garment factory, said workers are not serious about fire safety. More training programmes are therefore needed for them, he added.
Labour leader Nurul Islam alleged that the government and the BGMEA used to speak sweet words but in practice they did not make any policy on fire safety so far.
BGMEA Director AKM Shahjahan said they have a fire cell to monitor and provide fire safety measures to its member factories.
He also said they do not allow new factories that have no fire protection measures.
BNC Chairman ZM Kamrul Anam presided over the conference.