The government on Sunday formed a high-powered committee to investigate the recent arson attack at Standard Group, a leading apparel factory, in Gazipur.
Standard Group is the largest single garment factory of the country which has been in operation in the most ethical way with full compliance and its clients include American Eagle, GAP, Zara, Tommy Hilfiger, KOHL’S, Sears, Abercrombie, and Fitch and Gymboree.
The decision of forming the probe body was taken at an emergency meeting with the top officials of the country’s law enforcing and intelligent agencies at Probashi Kallyan Bhaban in the capital in the morning.
The committee, led by additional secretary of the Home Ministry Mainuddin Khandaker, has been asked to submit its probe report within the next seven working days.
This is the third committee as local administration and the Ministry of Labour formed two other bodies in respect to the arson attack.
Senior leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) including its president M Atiqul islam and the owners of the fire- ravaged factory were also present at the meeting.
“Chiefs of Bangladesh Police, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), National Security Intelligent (NSI), Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), representative from trade union, and senior Labour Ministry official will be members of the probe body,” Labour and Employment Minister Engr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain told the reporters after the meeting.
He said no such situation has arisen that could lead to the incident like the recent one as minimum monthly wages of workers have already been increased by over 76 percent, which was agreed by both the workers and the owners only last month,
“We took the matter very seriously and necessary instruction has been given to the law enforcing agencies to identify those involved in the attack (at Standard Group),” the Labour Minister said.
Replying to a question, State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku said the law enforcing agencies have started the process of identifying the attackers. “We can’t tolerate such activities that could put the industry at risk.”
Source: UNBConnect
