Day: August 5, 2014

Did BGMEA play its due role? Refayet Ullah Mirdha: The painful saga of the Tuba Group workers' agitation over a payment of dues has been quite revealing of the questionable role played by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in the crisis. And that has been despite the fact that the association was tasked to streamline its member factories. The BGMEA staged the payment drama at such a time when the whole world has been focusing on Bangladesh's garment sector, particularly over safety and labour standards in the workplace. The BGMEA was also supposed to monitor such compliance factors as timely payment of wages and safety and security measures for workers of its affiliated member factories. Sadly, though, that role was conspicuous by its absence. The lai...

Capacity 85, passengers over 200 Tawfique Ali: The ill-fated vessel MV Pinak-6 was overcrowded far beyond its capacity of 85 people. There was no effective safety watch either at Kawrakandi ferry terminal in Madaripur. Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), the shipping department, Madaripur district administration and police are to enforce loading regulations at the terminal, but all of them apparently failed at their job. With around 200 passengers on board, the launch sank in the mighty Padma yesterday morning. GSM Zafar Ullah, deputy commissioner of Madaripur, said though the Eid-ul-Fitr passed six days ago, the rush of capital-bound people was still on. He claimed that the Eid rush management committee was vigilant at the terminal. Asked how the vessel under watch l...