At long last, formal charges have been finally filed against those thought to be responsible for the Tazreen factory fire that claimed the lives of 112 garment workers last year.
Delwar Hossain, the managing director of Tazreen Fashions, is among 13 people charged for manslaughter and negligence under the Code of Criminal Conduct.
In addition to the 112 people killed in the devastating fire that swept through the factory on November 24 2012, over 200 workers suffered burn injuries. Reports point to improper maintenance and violation of the building code and many workers indicated that the factory exits were locked, preventing them from escaping when the fire broke out.
We welcome the filing of charges in this case which can now be decided on by the legal system. It is reassuring to see that the gears of justice have finally begun to move. Six of the thirteen accused are currently on the run so it is important to ensure that they too are brought before the legal process.
Progress in the Tazreen factory fire case is not only crucial towards providing long-overdue justice for the victims of the incident, it can also demonstrate to international buyers that meaningful progress can be made in the sector to protect the rights of the workers.
In light of the considerable challenges the garment industry is currently facing, these arrests represent a helpful step in ongoing moves towards winning back confidence in the health of the sector.
