No tokenism with safety of workers, please!

The inspection was carried out under rather limited terms of reference which was to find out the units housed in time-expired buildings. Of course, this is an important area of concern in the light of the KTS garments tragedy, but then there is a whole range of other components and issues pertaining to the safety standards for workers.

The fundamental issue here is the highly seasonal post-facto reaction of the BGMEA to any fire or stampede mishaps in garment units. Each time a serious accident would take place, they came out with all sorts of statistics and claims, giving assurances of a radical improvement being effected in the safety standards from that point onwards. We would keep our faith with these until another series of disasters came to belie all their claims and assurances. It becomes clear that nothing has been done to improve the safety standards at the factories.

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The garment sector has enjoyed public appreciation and goodwill for its tremendous contribution to the national economy. And let us not forget that the garment owners, manufacturers and exporters have also made huge profits from the sector. But, by their incorrigibly callous indifference to worker safety standards, the huge profits notwithstanding, they have basically done injustice to the nation's appreciation, sympathy and goodwill, not to mention the media support for the important role the sector played in the economy.

They have got enough time and warning to improve the safety standards, but, to our utter disgust, we witness that beyond expressing sympathy and condolence for the members of the victims' families they have done very little to preempt future accidents. The garment sector leaders have not used their authority and elective clout to have the safety standards enforced by the manufacturing units.

Let's sound a cautionary note that no halfhearted measures or palliatives would satisfy the workers, the public, the civil society and the media any longer on the safety question. So, address the issue with a genuine commitment, sincerity and thoroughness to make a difference in the life of workers.