Tragic deaths from factory fire

Just to comprehend the magnitude of the disaster from fire accidents, 231 workers have died and 1100 sustained injuries during the last 15 years in garment factory mishaps, according to some unconfirmed estimates. Many factory owners may have done little or nothing to eliminate the chances of accident or improve the safety exit arrangements. The latest incident being a repetition of what we witnessed many times in the past bears testimony to that state of affairs.

We have pointed out several times that the safety arrangements in the factories are not at all satisfactory, barring notable exceptions. Most of these buildings were not designed to be used as a factory where a large number of people would work at a time. The stairs and corridors in the buildings are not spacious enough to avoid a stampede in case of fire or any other accident. Then the exit points are either too narrow or are kept shut for inexplicable reasons. Isn't all this a criminal offence? The people who fail to attach due importance to human life have no right to run any business or enterprise. It is really shocking that the deaths of so many garment workers could not sensitise some owners to the need for protecting them from fire.

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We again appeal to the garment owners to improve the conditions in their factories which must include installation of effective fire-fighting equipment. And the family members of the latest tragedy must be given due compensation for the loss that they have suffered. The government, for its part, must take a fresh stock of the situation and bring to justice the people whose criminal indifference to a safety issue caused so many deaths.