Safety standards improve

Workplace safety in the garment sector have improved since the Tazreen fire disaster two years ago, but the absence of justice yet for the victims has set off anger and distrust among the observers.
Inspections by the Accord on Fire and Building Safety, the platform of mainly European-based retailers, the government's corrective action plan and the efforts of the owners reflect that workplace safety conditions are improving, said Roy Ramesh Chandra, secretary general of IndustriALL Bangladesh Council.
“Things are moving in the right direction. If we can capitalise on all these developments, we will have a safe and sound industry in the next five years. But, we need to improve further and bring momentum to the process.”

The fact that the Tazreen victims are yet to get compensation in line with the International Labour Organisation conventions and good practices in the country though has left a bitter taste in the mouth, Chandra said.
He said C&A, a Dutch fashion retailer that sourced from Tazreen, has agreed to pay compensation to the victims of the fire. “We want all other buyers that sourced from Tazreen to step forward.”
Chandra also expressed concerns about the delayed trial on the Tazreen fire case. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said, adding that those who are responsible for the death and injury of workers should be brought to the court of law soon.
“If there is justice for a single murder, there must be justice for so many murders. The frequency of such incidents will naturally decline if there is justice.”
Taslima Akhter, coordinator of the Bangladesh Garment Sramik Sanghati, expressed concern over the release of Tazreen Fashions owner, Delwar Hossain, from jail on bail.
“Delwar's freeing from jail is an ominous sign. It indicates that the owner of Rana Plaza, Sohel Rana, and the others who are responsible may be freed in future.”
For the sake of justice, it is vital to ensure punishment for those who are responsible for the death and injury of workers, she said. The government and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association could have earned redemption were the people responsible for the fire and the building collapse punished, she said.
Akhter, however, gave a sigh of relief that the workers safety issues have come to the forefront after the twin industrial disasters. “It is a major change. Owners are now compelled to talk about these issues. But questions remain on how far the government is doing its oversight role to ensure safe working conditions.”
Her views were echoed by Nazma Akter, president of the Sammilito Garment Sramik Federation.“Neither the workers of Tazreen Fashions nor those of Rana Plaza are responsible for the accidents -- it is the owners who are responsible.”
She went on to call for rules that guarantee exemplary punishment for the owners' negligence towards workers' health and safety. Akter acknowledged that the factory conditions have improved since the fire incident on November 24, 2012 that claimed 112 lives and injured over 1,200.
“But all these developments have taken place due to the international buyers' pressure. There are few owners who are addressing safety issues willingly,” Akter added.
Amirul Haque Amin, president of the National Garment Workers Federation, said improvements have taken place in building safety, electrical safety and fire safety due to inspections by the two buyer-sponsored agencies -- Accord and Alliance -- as well as the government.
Some 29 factories were closed for lack of safety measures following inspections of more than 2,000 factories following the Rana Plaza collapse, he said.
“But it cannot be said that the workers are safe yet at their workplaces. What is good is that the activities needed to ensure workplace have started. It has to be sustained.”
Amin called for inspections in all factories to identify the risky buildings. At the same time, proper functioning of the already safe ones should be ensured. Ruhul Amin, general secretary of the Garment Workers' Trade Union Centre (GWTUC), said there has been virtually no improvement regarding workers social security and other rights.
“Still many injured workers of Tazreen and Rana Plaza disasters are suffering in absence of proper treatment. Neither the government nor the BGMEA is doing anything to ensure proper treatment of workers.”
The GWTUC general secretary also criticised the closure of 29 factories due to safety concerns following recommendations from Accord and Alliance.
“The workers of these factories were not given their benefits as per law -- they were also not offered any alternative jobs. As a result, more than 1,000 workers have become jobless and their families are now living miserable lives.”
He also criticised the government for “helping Tazreen Fashions owner get bail and be free from jail”.
“The government has done an unethical job by interfering in the case. The same owner has closed down Tuba garments without paying rightful compensation to the workers.”
Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, assistant executive director of the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies, echoed others regarding the progress made in ensuring workers safety.
“There is a realisation about the need for improvement in workplace safety. Assessment is also done and steps have been taken to address safety issues. It has to be continued.”
However, there has been almost no progress in ensuring compensation for victims and better medical care for the injured. “Two injured survivors of Rana Plaza died recently for want of better treatment. It shows that there has been no progress to eradicate their helplessness.”
Wajed ul Islam Khan, presidium member of the World Federation of Trade Unions, however said expectations of a safe workplace are yet to be fulfilled. The training to workers on safety aspects though will be helpful, he added.