International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director General Guy Ryder has said Tuesday’s fire incident at Aswad Composite Mills in Gazipur must be the last.
“The fire at Aswad Composite Mills should not be just the latest tragedy to beset the industry. It must be the last,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
The ILO chief also expressed shock at the loss of life at the garment factory fire and conveyed his sympathy and condolences to the victims and their families.
“The ILO is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life…This latest fire to affect the readymade garment (RMG) sector in Bangladesh reflects the sad and shocking truth that not enough is being done to address the safety and health of garment factory workers,” Guy Ryder said.
Despite the staggering loss of life over the past years, workers are still dying for reasons that could well be avoided if decent working conditions were in place, he said.
Following the collapse of the Rana Plaza in April this year which killed more than 1,100 people, the Bangladeshi government and its social partners have been collaborating to improve working conditions, strengthen labour inspections and upgrade building and fire safety in RMG factories around the country.
“But all efforts and commitments will be in vain until they translate into concrete actions to avoid further loss of life or injury to workers. The ILO, as always, stands ready to assist the social partners.”
Source: UNBConnect