26-11-2000
From: Amirul Haque Amin
General Secretary
National Garments Workers Federation
Yesterday 25 th November 45 garments workers killed in a garment factory fire.
I am sending the news from our English Daily Newspaper " THE BANGLADESH OBSERVER"
Narsingdi,Nov 25:Atleast 45 workers including 10 children were burnt to death in a devastating fire at Sagar Chowdury Garment Factory in the Kamanchar BSCIC Industrial Area on Dhaka-Sylhet highway today at 7.45 p.m.
The fire sparked from electrical short circuit.
UNB ( United News Agency of Bangladesh ) adds: The fire soon engulfed the entire building where over 900 workers were on duty.
" As all the collapsible gates of the building were locked.No one could come out immediately." says a spot report,adding that the death figure may increase alarmingly.
Local people along with the firefighters of narsingdi broke open the gates of the building and rescued the rest of the workers and 40 dead bodies.
Of the dead,29 bodies were brought to narsingdi sadar hospital.
the raging fire, however, came under control at about 9.30 p.m. The rescue operation was controling when the report came at 10.10 p.m.
THE BANGLADESH OBSERVER
Dhaka Sunday November 26,2000
( 1st page )
P.s. 1. National Garments Workers Federation with 9 other garments workers organisations named in the Banner of "Bangladesh Garments Workers Unity Council" have already protested the killing.
2. National Garments Workers Federation will organise CONDOLENCE AND PROTEST DEMONSTRATION tomorrow 27 th November at 5 p.m.
*** Pls send your condolence message to the victimised families, co workers and NGWF.
In solidarity
Amirul Haque Amin
26th november,2000