Experts stress importance of safety in the RMG industry

Speakers at a workshop stressed that the issue of a safe working environment in the garment sector is still relevant. ActionAid Bangladesh organised a workshop titled "Naribandhab and Safe Workers Conference” in Dhaka on Thursday. The programme was held in the wake of the fifth anniversary of Tazreen Garments factory's fire with the slogan "Build a safe and female work environment." Researchers, labour leaders, development and general workers said the issue concerning worker's, especially women's safety and the working environment in the garment sector is still a relevant one, since employees still face difficulties concerning wages, safety, holidays, health care, maternity leave, behavioural conduct and compensation.” The speakers said Bangladesh's apparel industry is famous because it is the main source of foreign currency and for the cheap labour. Due to incidents such as the Tazreen fire and the Rana Plaza tragedy, one of the worst industrial disasters in the world, countless wounded workers and grieving family members have repeatedly asked for heightened security measures. Sabina Rani, a worker who had been injured in the Tazreen fire said: “I was working on the third floor on November 24. I ran downstairs after the fire alarm went off and almost got trampled by the people trying to exit the building. I thought I was going to die until I managed to grab a hold of a man's shirt and follow him out. “Now I feel like I may as well have died. I can hardly get out of bed. I am in constant pain and can no longer walk properly. I have eight children, including three daughters. Who will take responsibility for us now?” Executive Director of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies, Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed said: "After the accidents at Tazreen and Rana Plaza, several parties, including the government, have taken various initiatives. However, the reality is that workers, especially women, can no longer be guaranteed a safe work environment.” "The suffering of the injured workers is troubling us. We do not want any workers to be victims of a brutal accident. Their security is an important issue,” said European Union's programme manager, Laila Jasmine Banu.