Demand for damages for N’ganj factory fire victims

Sajeeb Group Workers’ Justice Committee has demanded compensation in accordance with ILO Convention 121 for the workers killed and injured in the fire at the Hashem Food and Beverage Foods factory, a subsidiary of Sajeeb Group, as well as for their families.

The demand was made at a press conference at the National Press Club on Monday. Chairman of the committee Abdul Majid and member secretary Golam Sarowar were present along with others at the time. 

According to the organization, the report of the investigation committee formed by the Narayanganj district administration has revealed irregularities of Sajeeb Group authorities. They think the 20 recommendations that have been made to prevent future fire incidents are constructive.

They demanded compensation for the killed and injured workers and their families in accordance with ILO Convention 121. They also demanded the payment of arrears, including arrears of overtime allowance of all workers working at Hashem food factory.

In the written statement they said that the investigation committee of Narayanganj district administration has recommended providing jobs to any member of the deceased’s family in another factory of Sajeeb Group.

They said that they would like to request the government to conduct a transparent investigation into the dangerous working conditions in all the factories of Sajeeb Group including occupational health, and safety of the workers, violation of Bangladesh Labor Act, and workers' rights before appointing them in Sajeeb Group’s factory.

According to the members of the Sajeeb Group Workers’ Justice Committee, many workers, including children, are still missing in the fire incident.

However, the report of Narayanganj district administration investigation committee did not mention anything about this. The justice committee called for an investigation into the matter.