Garment factory or deathtrap?

Every time a fire breaks out in a garment factory, the workers panic from the knowledge of the fatalities occurring to some of their colleagues in similar circumstances. They try to rush out of the building by any means causing a stampede. The narrow staircase winding down to virtually choked emergency exits, locks on the main gates make it almost impossible for them to escape. Not to forget the location of many factories -- most of them are situated in narrow alleyways where fire service vehicles can not enter, any rescue operation is rendered extremely difficult. Though the number of such tragic incidents has somewhat decreased following the authorities' imposition of regulations on factories, it seems that enough thought was not given on checking whether those regulations were being abided by or not on a sufficient scale.

The association of garment exporters has already announced compensations for the bereaved families, but it's high time they realised that life is too precious to let it end in such a cruel manner. First and foremost, the main gates of the factories should not remain locked all the time like a prison. Secondly, the workers should immediately be trained on what to do in such potentially panicky situations; and lastly, the association should contemplate initiating legal actions against owners of those factories which do not abide by the prescribed safety regulations. When would such owners realise that the workers are the lifeline of the factories and that their safety and well-being should be on the top of their agenda?

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