STAR BUSINESS REPORT

Weak law enforcement and a lack of accountability among individuals and institutions, along with negligence in fire safety, gas cylinder management, electrical systems, and chemical control, are the key causes of recurring industrial accidents in Bangladesh, speakers at a discussion said yesterday.

The discussion highlighted industrial disasters involving Tazreen Fashions, Spectrum, and Hashem Foods -- demonstrating persistent gaps in ensuring workplace safety.

The event, titled “13 years of the Rana Plaza tragedy: ensuring justice, compensation, and rehabilitation”, brought to light the current realities faced by victims of industrial accidents and outlined key recommendations for future action.

The Workers’ Safety Forum organised the discussion at the National Press Club, followed by a rally demanding justice, proper compensation, and sustainable rehabilitation for affected workers.

Leaders of national and sectoral trade unions, representatives of workers’ rights organisations, members of labour rights advocacy alliances, victims of industrial accidents, and their family members attended the programme.

Participants stressed the importance of a united movement to ensure justice for workers, noting that many families of deceased and injured workers are yet to receive proper compensation, rehabilitation, adequate medical care, or justice.

Despite the passage of time, they said, effective measures to ensure workplace safety, improve working conditions, and protect labour rights remain insufficient.

Barriers to unionisation have also prevented workers from organising effectively and advocating for their rights.