The country鈥檚 business leaders on Wednesday urged the government to ensure due diligence in all factories across the country.
In the context of the Tuesday鈥檚 fire incident at Mirpur, the industry leaders also stressed the need for increased monitoring by the government and relevant authorities to ensure compliance with adequate fire safety rules.
A fire broke out at a chemical warehouse in the capital鈥檚 Mirpur area on Tuesday, which spread to adjacent factories and claimed at least 16 people.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour and Employment formed a seven-member investigation committee to determine the cause of the fire, assess the extent of the damage, and identify any negligence in the inspection process.
Inamul Haq Khan, acting president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, urged the DIFE and relevant authorities to ensure due diligence across all industries to uphold the highest standards of compliance, for the greater interest of both our industries and the nation鈥檚 reputation.
In a written statement, he also said the government to take firm enforcement measures to ensure that no illegal facilities or warehouses operate outside regulatory oversight.
Inamul expressed concern over misleading and sensationalised headlines circulating in recent media reports about the tragic fire incident.
He said that the fire originated in a chemical warehouse, and toxic fumes and smoke from the explosion spread to nearby establishments, tragically claiming lives.
鈥楾he affected facilities are not members of BGMEA, nor affiliated with any recognised industry association, nor covered under the RMG Sustainability Council,鈥� he added.
He also said that these units were therefore not part of the formal, export-oriented readymade garment industry in Bangladesh.
Ina separate statement, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Taskeen Ahmed expressed shock and sorrow over the loss of lives by the raging fire.
He urged the government to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured so that they can make a quick recovery.
The chamber called upon all concerned to strictly follow fire safety standards and regulations while building construction to prevent such tragic incidents in the future, especially in industrial structures.聽
Taskeen Ahmed also stressed the need for increased monitoring by the government and relevant authorities to ensure compliance with adequate fire safety rules.
鈥楾he public and private sectors should take concerted efforts to raise awareness and implement effective measures to ensure adequate fire protection systems in industrial establishments and residential buildings, which will play a crucial role in safeguarding lives and property across the country,鈥� he added.
Meanwhile, M Sakhawat Hussain, adviser to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, expressed shock and sorrow over the tragic fire at the factories in Mirpur.
In a statement, he said that the ministry formed a seven-member investigation committee to determine the cause of the fire, assess the extent of the damage, and identify any negligence in the inspection process.
The committee has also been聽directed to submit a comprehensive and objective report within seven working days, including recommendations on damage assessment, accountability, risk evaluation, and necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The ministry stated that the committee鈥簊 findings would guide future actions to enhance workplace safety and prevent such industrial tragedies from recurring.
To support the victims, the adviser announced that each family of the deceased workers would receive Tk 200,000 in financial assistance from the Bangladesh Workers Welfare Foundation, while each injured worker would receive Tk 50,000 to cover medical expenses.
On Wednesday, Fire Service and Civil Defense officials said that the lock of the main gate of the burnt chemical warehouse had been broken open, but toxic fumes continue to fill the site, making it too dangerous to enter.
The operations were still ongoing and it might take a long time to fully extinguish the chemical fire.
According to the officials, the chemical warehouse had not any licence from DIFE or Fire Service, like many others factories operating at the Rupnagar area of Mirpur, which are dangerously closed to restaurants, university, and residential buildings.