International Labour Organisation (ILO) has expressed its deepest condolences over the loss of lives and injuries in the BM Container depot fire at Sitakunda in Chattogram.
"This incident requires improved collaboration and partnership between government departments, employers and workers representatives, and civil society," said an ILO press release on Monday.
"Tackling this problem calls for action in a number of areas. These include a review of regulations and enforcement in the transport and logistics sector, the payment of adequate compensation and income support to injured and disabled workers and families of workers who lost lives in work-related accidents, and to conduct safety campaigns that target transport/logistic service providers as well as emergency-service personnel," the releases added.
According to ILO, 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.
Additionally, the incident underscores the need for an effective industrial and enterprise safety framework and enforcement and training system to ensure a structured approach to mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery to all hazards.
Recently the government, employer, and worker representatives have agreed to roll out a modern, comprehensive Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) in Bangladesh starting from the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, with the possibility of extension to other sectors.
Such a system includes accident prevention, immediate and long-term compensation, and rehabilitation to return to work.
