Press Release, 16 November 2016, Dhaka

Joint Committee for Tampaco Victims Support & Tampaco Fire Accident Victims' Forum

Demand for proper compensation for Tapaco Victims, punishment to all

responsible for the accident, claiming quick DNA report and safe workplace.

On 16 November 2016 in a press conference held at the National Press Club organized by ‘Joint Committee for Tampaco Victims Support’ & ‘Tampaco Fire Accident Victims' Forum’ urged appropriate compensation to the families of deceased and injured workers, stern punishment to the people responsible for the killing of 41 people killed in a massive fire triggered by explosions at Tampaco factory dated 10 September 2016. The organizer also claimed to give the DNA report of unidentified and missing death workers and demand to ensure safe workplaces for all workers including the access to form unions in all factories.

The press conference titled ‘compensation for Tapaco Victims, safe workplace, respect workers right to form union and ensure their representation; our demand’ was presided by Abdul Mazid (BAFLF), convener of Joint Committee for Tampaco Victims Support and it was moderated by joint committee member Md. Mujibul Haque Munir (COAST Trust). Joint committee member and spokesman of Tampaco Fire Accident Victims' Forum Sharmin Akther Shilpi (wife of death Anisur Rahman) presented the written statement on behalf of the organizers. Among others member of joint committee Rima Akther (NWFA), Sonjon Kumar Saha (BSK), Ripon Kumar Das (coordinator of victims forum) and victim family member Anjona Sarker, Rupali Begum, Nargis Akter, Shamima Parvin, Rabiul Islam, Sakibul Islam were present.              

In the written statement Shairmin Akther Shilpi explained the process of formation of victims’ forum. She mentioned that in the presence 87 members of 69 victims’ families Tampaco Fire Accident Victims' Forum was formed and one spokesman and one coordinator of victims' forum were elected in a meeting in Gazipur dated 6 November 2016. She also described the process of formation of Joint Committee for Tampaco Victims Support and its objectives. She added that BAFLF is doing coordinating action to support the victims and on how they get proper compensation. They are contacting with deceased workers’ family members and the injured workers. BAFLF planned to form a joint committee with same minded organizations working on Tampaco issue to make their effort fruitful and transparent. So, BAFLF wrote several organizations including ILO Dhaka office explaining their aim of formation joint committee and invited them to be part of joint committee.  

In the written statement Shairmin Akther Shilpi mentioned that by the terrible fire incidence of Tampaco Foils Ltd. 41 workers died and more than 50 workers were injured. 8 unidentified dead bodies were kept in DMC but 9 victims family have given blood sample for DNA test. She said they are waiting for DNA report for last 2 months. Unfortunately, till they didn’t get DNA report and the concern authority did not give any specific assurance when the victims will get the report. She claimed for  quick DNA test report.

The convenor of the joint committe Abdul Mazid said, in Bangladesh the tragic incident like Tampaco accident is happening repeatedly and hundreds of innocent workers are losing their lives, getting injured, and are left paralyzed forever. He added these killings are not a mere accident, these are murder. The incidents of the unexpected tragic murder occur frequently because of the violation of workers' rights to form unions and the continuous negligence of employers’ responsibility to make safe work place. He said Tampaco owner violated national labour law and international law.  Tampaco factory’s construction did not provide any adequate safety protection to workers and any access for effective firefighting. There was no stairs inside the building. Some workroom, especially the ground floor temperature was intolerable. There was no proper ventilation system.  Tampaco authority did not provide appointment letter to workers. Workers didn’t have any service book. There was no system of provident-fund, gratuity and group insurance for workers. Even in Tampaco there is no workers’ union. Tampaco disaster showed us how the denial of right to form unions and lack of access to representation allows employers to violate health and safety right and make workplace dangerous.

Abdul Mazid mentioned compensation is important and he urged Tampaco owner and the major clients of Tampaco including MNCs should pay compensation to the victims. At the same time he said it is clear to all why this happened. He emphasized on ensuring workplace safety and healthy environment including the access to form unions. Employers and concern Govt. authority must make sure that this tragic incident never happens again because it’s not about compensation or safety regulations. It’s about right and responsibilities.             

The demands are stated as follows:

1. DNA report of unidentified corpses should be provided immediately.

2. Tampaco owner and the major clients of Tampaco including MNCs should pay compensation to the victims. The compensation have to be paid according to ILO Convention 121 by adding BDT 5,00,000 with the compensation on accounts of ‘pain and suffering’.  

3. Safe workplaces must be ensured.

4. An investigation committee should be formed to mark the cause of the accident and judicial trial  for the punishment to the responsible.

5. Providing proper treatment of injured workers.

6.Ensuring the access to form unions in all workplaces.

Message sender: Golam Sorowor, Cell: +8801711951709