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Despite a notable improvement in workplace safety at RMG industry since the Rana Plaza collapse in 2013, there are still concerns regarding the compensation package for the deceased and injured workers, speakers said at a programme on Tuesday.
They also said it takes too much time to ensure justice for industrial accidents due to outdated law and complex legal procedures which somewhat allow factory owners to neglect occupational safety measures.
Besides, the discussion on workplace safety is mostly concentrated on the RMG industry due to its enormous contributions to the economy while other industrial sectors having high risk of occupational hazards are dully discussed, they said.
The opinions came at a stakeholders' meeting on "Commemorating Rana Plaza Tragedy: Present Occupational Safety and Health Situation in the RMG Sector and Way Forward" jointly organised by USAID's Workers' Empowerment and Participation (WEP) Activity and Solidarity Center at a city hotel.
Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Labor & Employment Shamsunnahar Bhuiyan addressed the programme as the chief guest while Professor of Institute of Bangladesh Studies under University of Rajshahi Dr Jakir Hossain, Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) Director Nazma Yesmin, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) Deputy Director Md Borkot Ali, and Bangladesh Revolutionary Garments Workers Federation (BRGWF) President Salauddin Shapon spoke as the panellists.
Solidarity Center Bangladesh Program Officer Mohammad Nazrul Islam presented the keynote paper at the event presided over by Solidarity Center Country Program Director AKM Nasim.
Dr Hossain said it is true that building and fire safety in garments industry has improved a lot in last nine years but there are still gap between proper monitoring and enforcement of law if safety is compromised.
Investigation into the three cases filed over the Rana Plaza incident is still at primary stage, he said, adding: such sluggishness in case proceedings isn't common only for Rana Plaza, justice for accidents due to negligence in some other garment units is still pending.
Mentioning that the charge in the Rana Plaza cases filed with the Labour Court is yet to be formed, BLAST deputy director Mr Ali said such delay creates the scope of impunity for the accused because the more time gone by it becomes hard to ensure presence of case witnesses.
There are only 10 labour courts in the country where over 22,000 cases are under trial, he said adding: the number of courts should be increased and it should be established in labour-intensive areas.
Delivering her speech, Ms Shamsunnahar said, "We don't want to see any accidents, not only at garment industry but also other high-risk industrial sectors."