Over 3,000 mid-level workers of ready made garment factories have received training on fire safety till Saturday.
The burgeoning industry’s apex body Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) initiated the crash programme in the wake of the Nov 24 fire in Tazreen Fashions Ltd that was producing clothes for major western brands such as Wal-Mart and Disney.
At least 112 workers died in the fire.
As many as 3,359 workers from 379 factories of Gazipur, Ashulia, Mohakhali, Banani, Malibagh, Rampura, Badda and Mirpur received the training in 12 batches.
Initiated by the BGMEA’s safety cell, the workshops were held at Nurul Quader Auditorium at the BGMEA complex, Ansar Academy in Gazipur, and at Fire Service and Civil Defence Training Complex in Mirpur.
BGMEA General Secretary Ehsanul Fattah in a statement said that the crash programme would start in the port city of Chittagong on Sunday.
The training curricula cover fire fighting, reasons of fire in the readymade garment factories, fire dousing system and proper use of different sorts of fire fighting equipment, safe evacuation, fire safety plans and fire drills.
Labour and Employment Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju inaugurated the crash programme on Dec 10.
The programme aims at strengthening fire safety measures in the factories enlisted under the country’s apex body for apparel and create awareness among the managers and workers.
The trained workers will give training to their junior colleagues. All factories, those members of the BGMEA, will be brought under the training programme in phases.
Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence is assisting the BGMEA in conducting the programme.bdnews24.com
