Bangladesh garment factory blast raises fresh concerns over workers' safety
After 10 workers were killed and 50 more were injured in a boiler explosion on Monday, concerns have been raised over workers’ safety in Bangladesh. The company had recently undergone safety inspections and serviced the machinery. Although conditions have improved since the Rana Plaza disaster of 2013, which killed over 1100 workers, workers say regulations still need to be strengthened because accidents continue to occur. Union leaders have called for a zero-tolerance policy towards neglect of workplace safety, and have advocated for a strengthened labor department and more qualified labor inspectors. Bangladesh’s garment-making industry, which is second only to China’s, employs over 4 million people and makes up the majority of Bangladesh’s export revenue, but has been under scrutiny for failing to improve working conditions.
See "Bangladesh garment factory blast raises fresh concerns over workers' safety", Anuradha Nagaraj, Reuters, July 5, 2017