Knitting factory fire
I am completely shattered to know about the loss of valuable lives in the fire in a knitting factory. May Allah rest these souls in peace. Accident of this nature and devastation has been a chronic disease in the garments industry and I am not sure whether any step has been taken to minimise the impact of fire in the factories. Is it enough on the part of BKMEA or similar associations to express deep shock and provide medical treatment only and to overlook the hazardous working conditions from the very inception of these factories? The report also mentions that the Building Code was not properly followed in the construction of the plant. Who will take the responsibility of this tragedy, and who will be held accountable? As is the case, nobody will take responsibility, but the basic norm of justice dictates that the accountable persons for the poor management and fatal operating conditions of such factories be brought to book so that such painful tragedies are not repeated.
Maybe the social status of the employees, poor garment workers, men and women, is far below the threshold of social recognition. Proper and healthy working conditions and safety are foreign to them and death in fire is an added misery to their lives. I would expect that, at least, the families of the deceased will be duly compensated.
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