7th anniversary of Tazreen tragedy today

Today is the 7th anniversary of Tazreen Fashions tragedy in which at least 113 workers were killed and 172 were injured as fire wrecked the garments factory in November 2012.

To pay homage to the deceased and demanding workers’ safety, four national federations of the garments sector will bring out a rally in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka in the morning.

Amirul Haque Amin, president of National Garment Workers’ Federation, said, “Though lots of safety measures have been taken in the garments sector after the incident, we need to keep strengthening those.”

He also demanded quick verdict in the cases filed against the owner of the garments who was held responsible for the tragedy.

On November 24, 2012, fire broke out at Tazreen Fashions Limited, a garments factory in Ashulia, some 35km from Dhaka city.

When the workers attempted to leave the building, the management locked it from the outside. Some 113 workers were killed in the fire. Many jumped through the windows of the building to save their lives.

Two cases were filed with Ashulia Police Station against the factory owner and others. Police submitted charge sheets in both the cases against 13 people on September 2015.

After the incident, the retailers and brands working in association with the factory paid victims compensation under pressure from the International Labour Organisation.