RMG workers lay siege to BGMEA complex
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
FE Report
A garment workers' platform laid siege to the BGMEA complex in the city Monday, demanding judicial probe into the devastating fire incident of Tazreen Fashions Ltd on November 24 that claimed 111 lives and injured several others.
The workers under the banner of Bangladesh Garment Sromik Songhoti (BGSS) also demanded immediate arrest of the factory owner and payment of Tk 1.0 million as compensation to each family of the dead workers.
They also demanded publishing the real number of deceased in the incident and arrangement of adequate treatment for the injured.
Besides launching tougher agitations BGSS chief coordinator Mahbubur Rahman Ismail also threatened countrywide agitation on Dec 5 and laying siege to the office of the Factory Inspector on Dec 10, if their demands are not realised.
The leaders of the workers' platform strongly blamed the BGMEA leaders and apparel factory owners for fire incidents.
Ismail said it is BGMEA's strategy to prove such fire incidents as subversive activities. As part of their drama Sumi and Zakir were arrested on allegation of initiating fire incident to another factory soon after the Tazreen tragedy.
"Neither the BGMEA nor the government can shake off the responsibility of the Tazreen incident, calling it an act of anarchy."
He alleged that factory owners get insurance money, if a factory fire kills its workers.
Another BGSS leader Taslima Akhter Lima wondered how a factory got approval despite not having fire-extinguishing system.
She said the government and the owners would have to take its full responsibility.
Meanwhile, the victim families and affected workers of Tazreen Fashions Ltd will receive their compensation today (Tuesday), BGMEA president Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin announced Monday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hand over cheques worth Tk 0.4 million each to the dead garment workers' families, the BGMEA leader said.
Mr Mohiuddin also informed the media that the investigation report of the BGMEA team would be published within a day or two.
He also said the wage of the workers will also be paid by December 5 or 6. Two information centres have been opened - one at the BGMEA office and the other at the factory of Tazreen Fashions.
All concerned are requested to contact with additional and joint secretaries of BGMEA Jaglul Haider and Gias Uddin Bhuiyan at 01817044677 and 01817142829.
For Ashulia information cell the contact persons are Habibur Rahman at 01819558064, Mizanur Rahman Shimul at 01817045448 and Quader Dewan at 01759976882.
A garment workers' platform laid siege to the BGMEA complex in the city Monday, demanding judicial probe into the devastating fire incident of Tazreen Fashions Ltd on November 24 that claimed 111 lives and injured several others.
The workers under the banner of Bangladesh Garment Sromik Songhoti (BGSS) also demanded immediate arrest of the factory owner and payment of Tk 1.0 million as compensation to each family of the dead workers.
They also demanded publishing the real number of deceased in the incident and arrangement of adequate treatment for the injured.
Besides launching tougher agitations BGSS chief coordinator Mahbubur Rahman Ismail also threatened countrywide agitation on Dec 5 and laying siege to the office of the Factory Inspector on Dec 10, if their demands are not realised.
The leaders of the workers' platform strongly blamed the BGMEA leaders and apparel factory owners for fire incidents.
Ismail said it is BGMEA's strategy to prove such fire incidents as subversive activities. As part of their drama Sumi and Zakir were arrested on allegation of initiating fire incident to another factory soon after the Tazreen tragedy.
"Neither the BGMEA nor the government can shake off the responsibility of the Tazreen incident, calling it an act of anarchy."
He alleged that factory owners get insurance money, if a factory fire kills its workers.
Another BGSS leader Taslima Akhter Lima wondered how a factory got approval despite not having fire-extinguishing system.
She said the government and the owners would have to take its full responsibility.
Meanwhile, the victim families and affected workers of Tazreen Fashions Ltd will receive their compensation today (Tuesday), BGMEA president Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin announced Monday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hand over cheques worth Tk 0.4 million each to the dead garment workers' families, the BGMEA leader said.
Mr Mohiuddin also informed the media that the investigation report of the BGMEA team would be published within a day or two.
He also said the wage of the workers will also be paid by December 5 or 6. Two information centres have been opened - one at the BGMEA office and the other at the factory of Tazreen Fashions.
All concerned are requested to contact with additional and joint secretaries of BGMEA Jaglul Haider and Gias Uddin Bhuiyan at 01817044677 and 01817142829.
For Ashulia information cell the contact persons are Habibur Rahman at 01819558064, Mizanur Rahman Shimul at 01817045448 and Quader Dewan at 01759976882.