Abdul Alim (RMG Times)  With numerous sounds of cries, the world was once shaken when the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire that broke out on March 25, 1911, in New York City was the deadliest industrial disaster in the history of the city, and one of the deadliest in US history but it is more than 100 years now. This was the deadliest fire incident at any garments factory prior to the fire incidents happened at Ali Enterprise in Pakistan. After the learning from the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, the fire safety has been taken a 360-degree move for the entire country in both residential and industrial places. That’s how the picture of US reshaped over the years.

A fresh morning of 24 April 2013 contrarily brought the most shocking news of Rana Plaza collapse which is the deadliest industrial accidents. The death toll reached 1134 and about 2500 workers injured in this fatal accident. It was really a humanitarian disaster when the general people were feeling guilty for not being able to rescue the victims crying under the shattered concrete. The whole world felt sorry for the departed souls who did not commit anything harm at all.

The terrible Rana Plaza Collapse was the most expensive call for the working conditions of Bangladesh RMG sector. The immediate response from the Government, International Brands and Trade unions brought the concept of Accord and Alliance for ensuring the fire, electrical and building safety of the garments factories of Bangladesh. Not only Accord and Alliance, the brands took extra precautions as well to work with any Bangladeshi factories while they are quite relaxed in other sourcing countries.

The government, including the owners of the factory has taken the challenge and very much on target to rebuild the lost reputation of the country and RMG industry of the country. Nowadays, we can hear the appreciation from the multinational brands that the factories of Bangladesh are the best in the world. More than 65 green factories are in operational level while another 200 is waiting to start a fresh. Seven out of 10 green factories including the world’s best green factory are now in Bangladesh.

The significant and probable risks are already identified and in most cases, the remediation actions have also been taken for all the factories under the supervision of Accord and Alliance. The current facts in the RMG factories in terms of health and safety are the day to day issues. There are not many significant issues are pending. Those who are very much in risks are already been closed by the accord or alliance. There are a huge number of factories are already closed by themselves due to their failure to meet additional requirements in this competitive situation. So, the result is very simple that the factories are in operation in Bangladesh exporting to the international brands and buyers, in a word, are the best in the world. It is the ultimate result of a prompt and positive response of the nation after the deadliest building collapse. 

Finally, we are looking for the high court about the trial of the criminals those who are responsible for destroying the dream of around 4000 families of this country and demolish the reputation of the country. The world never wants to commemorate another April 24, 2013, as it has no strength enough to endure any more of those. We don’t want to see any more killing of the workers in the industry. We want to build up a safer nation by ensuring the safety measures still to take. We want to award a healthy, crisis-free and sustainable Bangladesh to our successors.

Writer : Editor & Publisher, The RMG Times