DHAKA, 27 February 2006 — Bangladesh’s Parliament yesterday passed a new law authorizing stiff jail terms for illegal construction after scores of workers died in accidents in less than a year, sources said.
Parliament passed the law stipulating up to seven years’ jail for any illegal construction.
“The national Parliament passed the Building Construction Amendment Act 2006 this afternoon,” said spokesman Abdul Halim. He could not say if the bill had been rushed through following the tragedy.
“Some areas in the country are earthquake-prone and it is very essential to follow proper construction rules for buildings in these areas,” said Works Minister Mirza Abbas.
Steps are also being taken to shut down companies who violate safety regulations after scores of workers died in accidents in less than a year, sources said yesterday.
A trade group that regulates garment sector said yesterday it would take steps to put out of business companies that flout safety provisions. In the past four days alone, two accidents have claimed at least 73 lives and injured over 150 people, officials and rescuers said.
“We will form a vigilance team to inspect all the 4,000 ready-made garment factories round the year and detect violators, who will face strict action,” said Tipu Munshi, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
“Our backs are against the wall,” he said, referring to growing concern at home and abroad over poor safety standards in Bangladeshi factories.
On Thursday, fire razed the K.T.S. textile mill in Chittagong. On Saturday, the Phoneix textile mill collapsed in Dhaka. The BGMEA mainly oversees the ready-made garment industry.
“We will cancel their licenses and membership (of BGMEA), and see they are ultimately ousted from business,” Munshi said, when asked what penalties offenders would face.
He said the BGMEA decided at an emergency meeting on Saturday to cancel the membership of the K.T.S. mill. Phoenix comes under a different regulator.
Meanwhile, rescuers searched frantically yesterday for anyone still trapped after Phoneix textile mill building collapsed in Dhaka while undergoing renovation, killing 18 and injuring 45. “We are hopeful some people may still be alive under the rubble as there are some pockets inside,” Brig. Gen. Nizam Ahmed, head of the rescue operation, said.
