Lax oversight, inadequate safety measures: ILO on recent fires in Bangladesh

The recent fire incidents illustrate the urgent need for both Bangladesh's authorities and building owners to ensure strict adherence to safety regulations and the meticulous enforcement of building codes to keep workers safe, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said today (14 March)

It said the tragic Bailey Road fire, originating from the restaurant in the Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall, underscores the devastating consequences of lax oversight and inadequate safety measures in commercial buildings.

The absence of fire exits, fire extinguishing systems, and proper evacuation routes, despite prior warnings, has resulted in a staggering loss of life and injuries, the organisation said.

"This serves as a stark reminder that immediate action must be taken to address structural failures, close loopholes in building codes, and prioritize the safety of people in and around buildings," ILO said in a statement.

Furthermore, ILO said, this incident underscores the imperative for an efficient industrial and enterprise safety framework, along with a robust enforcement and training system, to guarantee a systematic approach to mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery from all potential hazards.

Enhanced collaboration and partnerships between government departments, employers, workers' representatives, and civil society are crucial in achieving this goal.

"The need for a well-coordinated effort to prioritise safety measures, implement comprehensive training programs, and enforce regulations becomes evident, aiming not only at preventing such tragic incidents but also ensuring a resilient and secure environment for workers and the community at large," it said.

The ILO is actively collaborating the Government of Bangladesh and other stakeholders to have a fully coordinated industrial safety framework, ensuring the optimal functionality of the Industrial Safety Units across all sectors to strengthen safety inspections.

ILO will also support the Government of Bangladesh to update and implement occupational safety and health (OSH) regulatory and policy frameworks and implement the National Plan of Action on OSH.

By leveraging these efforts, the goal is to enhance safety standards across all sectors, ensuring a safer working environment for all workers in Bangladesh.

"It is our hope that this tragic incident will lead to ownership from all stakeholders to approach the task of addressing safety deficiencies in workplaces across the country with renewed determination and urgency," ILO said in its statement.

The ILO is "deeply saddened" by the tragic loss of life of at least 46 individuals at the Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall on Bailey Road on 29 February and the recent gas cylinder fire in residential are in Gazipur on 13 March.

The ILO extended its heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the families of the victims and the injured, emphasising the urgent need for improved safety measures, regulatory reforms, and strict enforcement to prevent such tragedies in the future.