Desk Report
Last month’s fire at a building housing restaurants on Bailey Road and other recent incidents show again how enforcement, prevention and safety culture is needed to keep work and public places safe, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has said.
“These incidents illustrate the urgent need for both Bangladesh’s authorities and building owners to ensure strict adherence to safety regulations and the meticulous enforcement of building codes to keep workers safe,” the UN agency said in a statement on Thursday.
The ILO said it was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of at least 46 lives at the Green Cozy Cottage building on Bailey Road on February 29 and a gas cylinder fire in a residential area in Gazipur on Wednesday.
The UN labour agency extended its heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the families of the deceased and the injured, emphasizing the urgent need for improved safety measures, regulatory reforms and strict enforcement to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The Bailey Road fire, originating from a restaurant in Green Cozy Cottage, underscored the devastating consequences of lax oversight and inadequate safety measures in commercial buildings, the ILO added.
It continued: “The absence of fire exits, fire extinguishing systems and proper evacuation routes, despite prior warnings, has resulted in a staggering loss of life and injuries.
“This serves as a stark reminder that immediate action must be taken to address structural failures, close loopholes in building codes and prioritize the safety of people in and around buildings.
