Restaurant owners threaten closure over fire safety raids

In the face of fire-safety raids sealing off eateries following the Bailey Road fire tragedy, restaurant owners have protested against what they say "harassment" and "extortion" by government agencies in the name of safety inspections.
Secretary General of the Bangladesh Restaurant Owners' Association (BROA) Imran Hassan blamed the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) for Dhaka's lack of proper building regulations, saying, "RAJUK's failure has turned Dhaka into a concrete jungle, and no one even talks about it."
Speaking at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Monday, Mr Hassan warned of an indefinite closure of hotels and restaurants if the "uncoordinated raids" do not cease.
Mr Hassan claimed RAJUK is the most corrupt organisation in Bangladesh and called for an investigation into all its officials.
Citing the example of a police sub-inspector who recently demanded money from a restaurant, he alleged that people from various agencies were now extorting money from them.
On 29 February, 46 people died in a fire at the Green Cozy Cottage -- a commercial building that housed 14 restaurants despite lacking a permit for such use.
This incident sparked outrage on social media and put forward the issue of restaurants operating without adequate fire safety measures across Dhaka, including Dhanmondi, Khilgaon and Mirpur.
Following the Bailey road fire, RAJUK, two Dhaka City Corporations, police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) launched raids on restaurants in the capital.
Mr Hassan's written statement criticised the continued raids and arrests of restaurant staff, even during this Ramadan.
He said this negative publicity has led to a decline in customers, with an estimated 800 restaurants currently closed -- 220-230 of which have been officially sealed by the authorities.
He claimed that many restaurants were shut down without prior notice. The association called for a permanent solution to the problems facing the restaurant sector.
Mr Hassan proposed the formation of a high-powered task force, as he urged the government to take initiatives to protect investments and jobs in the local restaurant sector.
Mr Hassan also requested cooperation from the authorities and a halt to restaurant closures during the Ramadan, which he termed "sealing drama".
The association also announced protests if their demands are not met. It plans to hold a human chain on Wednesday and submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister.
The restaurant owners also warned of a one-day nationwide restaurant closure if their demands remain unmet. They have also threatened an indefinite closure of all restaurants in Bangladesh as a last resort.
[email protected]