Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 7th June. International Labor Organization on Monday has called the Bangladesh authorities to review the safety of workplaces throughout the country to address safety shortcomings, after a fire and explosion broke out at the BM Container Depot in southeastern Bangladesh over the weekend which left over 40 dead.
ILO expressed its deep sadness over the loss of life, which included nine fire fighters, after chemical-filled containers combusted, one after another, around midnight on Saturday, at the BM Container Depot, said in a press release issued in New York.
According to news reports, the death toll was revised down after some bodies were counted twice, and hundreds are still listed as missing or injured, with the toll expected to rise, ILO said.
The cause of the fire near the main Chittagong Seaport, southeast of Dhaka, was not immediately determined, but Bangladeshi officials on Monday said containers of hydrogen peroxide were incorrectly labeled, and firefighters used water instead of foam, to extinguish the blaze.
The agency said that the reports also suggest the chemicals at the plant, were not stored safely.
ILO said in a statement that “This incident illustrates the urgent need to ensure proper handling and storage of chemicals, proper training for storage facility staff at awareness and operational levels, and effective crowd control during an emergency incident.: urge workplaces throughout the country to address safety shortcomings”
It underscored the importance of an effective industrial and enterprise safety framework; vigilant enforcement; and a training system to ensure a structured approach to “mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery” to all hazards.
ILO explained that this will require “improved collaboration and partnership” between government departments, employers and workers representatives, and civil society.
It said that multiple actions are required across various of areas, including a review of regulations and enforcement in the transport and logistics sector.
Adequate compensation and income support must also be provided to injured and disabled workers and the families of those who die in work-related accidents, the agency stressed.
ILO called for improved safety campaigns targeting transport, logistics and emergency-service providers.
According to ILO, the government, employer and worker representatives have agreed to roll out a comprehensive Employment Injury Scheme, beginning with the ready-made garment sector and possibly extending to other sectors.
The system includes accident prevention, immediate and long-term compensation, and rehabilitation to return to work.
ILO recalled the 2013 Rana Plaza tragedy when a garment factory in an eight-story commercial building collapsed in the Savar Upazila of Dhaka District, saying that since then, it has continued to work closely with the Government of Bangladesh, employers’ and workers’ organizations and development partners to improve working conditions in all industries.
It reiterated the proper governmental monitoring of industries to ensure that industrial and accidental risks are properly understood, addressed and prevented is essential to improving safe working conditions in Bangladesh.
The statement said that “ILO and the broader UN system in Bangladesh hopes that this tragic accident will drive all parties involved to apply renewed vigour in addressing the safety deficits in workplaces across the country and we extend our assistance to continue to build safer Bangladesh for all,.
ILO extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of the injured and deceased and offered solidarity and assistance to build a safer Bangladesh for all.
UN Country Team saw the tragic accident as “a reminder of the need to work together towards effective industrial and enterprise safety frameworks and their enforcement.”
It added that the UN in Bangladesh called upon all parties involved to “apply renewed vigor in addressing the safety deficits in workplaces around the country.”
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