International news

Bangladesh Shezan Juice factory fire tragedy 

More information has emerged about the brutal and unsafe conditions at the Shezan Juice factory where a fire on the night of July 8 killed at least 52 young workers in Narayanganj’s Bhulta area, just outside Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Forty-nine workers died after being trapped on the third floor of the six-storey building with its only exit locked. Three others were killed after jumping from the burning building. The juice factory is a subsidiary of Sajeeb Group and is owned by Hashem Foods Ltd.

Among the dead were 16 or more under the age of 18, some as young as 11, indicating that the company was exploiting child labour, in open violation of Bangladesh’s limited industrial laws.

Amid widespread criticism, globally and locally, Bangladeshi authorities have arrested eight individuals on murder charges. They include Sajeeb Group chairman and managing Director Md Abul Hashem, his four sons, and three other senior factory officials. The Rupganj police station has filed a case against the individuals and several unknown people. 
Source: Workers Solidarity Bulletin

Share Tweet

RELATED

$135 HIRE EQUIPMENT COULD HAVE PREVENTED SERIOUS INJURY AND $15K FINE
A Mornington Peninsula carpentry construction company, AGN Carpentry Pty Ltd, has been fined $15,000 and convicted of failing to provide a safe system of work after an apprentice was seriously injured.
Read More
FALL RESULTS IN VERTEBRAL FRACTURES AND $32.5K FINE
Less than a year after WW Masonry Pty Ltd began trading, an employee of the company was seriously injured in a preventable fall at a townhouse development in Keysborough. Company representatives did...
Read More
POLYCELL AUSTRALIA FINGER AMPUTATION GETS $80K FINE
Polycell Australia Pty Ltd manufactures protective packaging materials, including bubble wrap, bio-fill and padded envelopes. In March 2023 WorkSafe received a call from the partner of an injured employee notifying the regulator...
Read More