2012 Dhaka garment factory fire

Fatal industrial accident March 2024 November 2018 Tazrin garments ltd 2012 Dhaka fire (Burned).jpg 2012 11 24 y Dhaka, Bangladesh 23.9295 N 90.3126 E region:XXXX_type:event inline,title 117–124Associated Press Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-garment-factory-fire-kills-112-in-bangladesh-20121125,0,247568.story Garment factory fire kills 112 in Bangladesh 25 November 2012 25 November 2012 25 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121125185959/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-garment-factory-fire-kills-112-in-bangladesh-20121125,0,247568.story dead 200+ The 2012 Dhaka garment factory fire broke out on 24 November 2012, in the Tazreen Fashion factory in the Ashulia district on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh.Ethirajan Anbarasan https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20482273 Dhaka Bangladesh clothes factory fire kills more than 100 BBC News 25 November 2012 25 November 2012 25 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121125183604/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20482273 live At least 117 people were confirmed dead in the fire, and over 200 were injured,http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/25/world/asia/bangladesh-factory-fire/?hpt=hp_t1 At least 117 killed in fire at Bangladeshi clothing factory Farid Ahmed 25 November 2012 CNN 25 November 2012 25 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121125162619/http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/25/world/asia/bangladesh-factory-fire/?hpt=hp_t1 live making it the deadliest factory fire in the nation's history.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bangladesh-fire-idUSBRE8AN0CG20121125 Bangladesh's worst-ever factory blaze kills over 100 Anis Ahmed and Ruma Paul 25 November 2012 Reuters 25 November 2012 26 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121126010207/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/25/us-bangladesh-fire-idUSBRE8AN0CG20121125 live The cause of the fire was not determined. It was initially presumed to be caused by an electrical short circuit, the cause of 80% of factory fires in Bangladesh. A widely criticized government report alleged an act of "sabotage", without identifying who committed it or why.Alexandra Rose Caleca The Effects of Globalization on Bangladesh's Ready-Made Garment Industry: The High Cost of Cheap Clothing http://brooklynworks.brooklaw.edu/bjil/vol40/iss1/7 2014 Brooklyn Journal of International Law 40 1 293–294 This fire and others similar to it have led to numerous proposed reforms in workers' rights and safety laws in Bangladesh.Jakir Hossain Afroza Akter State of Bangladesh Garment Sector Tripartism and the Scope of Harmonious Industrial Relations http://bilsbd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Labour_Eng_Journal_July-December_2016.pdf July–December 2016 Labour 19 2 29Talukder Golam Rabby Sadman Rahi Md. Shahidul Islam Nasibul Akter Md. Iftekhar Ashik Imran Economic Analysis of Tazreen Fashions Fire and Rana Plaza Collapse http://bilsbd.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Labour-A-BILS-Journal-January-June-2018.pdf January–June 2018 Labour 21 1 23 Background When it opened in 2009, the Tazreen Fashion factory employed 1,630 workers and produced T-shirts, polo shirts and jackets for various companies and organizations.Bangladesh factory fire kills 111 garment workers https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/bangladesh/9701826/Bangladesh-factory-fire-kills-111-garment-workers.html 25 November 2012 The Telegraph 25 November 2012 David Bergman Muktadir Rashid 28 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121128051715/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/bangladesh/9701826/Bangladesh-factory-fire-kills-111-garment-workers.html live These included the US Marines,http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=43146 US lawmakers urge Obama's action in Tazreen fire 13 December 2012 The Daily Star 5 January 2013http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=260023 Clothing patterns for US marines found at fire site 5 December 2012 The Daily Star 5 January 2013 Dutch company C&A, the American company Walmart and Hong Kong-based Li & Fung. The factory is part of the Tuba Group which is a major exporter of garments from Bangladesh to the U.S., Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands. Its major clients include Walmart, Carrefour and IKEA. According to Tazreen Fashions' web site, the factory was flagged in May 2011 with an "orange" grade by a Walmart ethical sourcing official for "violations and/or conditions which were deemed to be high risk". The notice said that any factory receiving three "orange" grade assessments in a two-year time period would not receive Walmart orders for one year. The orange rating was the first the company had received, and was followed by a "yellow" medium risk rating the next August, which pertained to the factory where the fire occurred. On 25 November, a Walmart spokesman said he was "so far unable to confirm that Tazreen is a supplier to Walmart nor if the document referenced in the article is in fact from Walmart"; the company subsequently terminated its relationship with Tazreen, stating that "The Tazreen factory [in Ashulia] was not authorized to produce merchandise for Walmart. A supplier subcontracted work to this factory without authorization and in direct violation of our policies." Documents found via email show that Walmart had subcontracted multiple clothing production orders through the Tazreen factory.Steven Greenhouse Documents Reveal New Details About Walmart's Connection to Tazreen Factory Fire https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/11/world/asia/tazreen-factory-used-by-2nd-walmart-supplier-at-time-of-fire.html?_r=0 10 December 2012 The New York Times 6 November 2014 According to The New York Times, Walmart played a significant role in blocking reforms to have retailers pay more for apparel in order to help Bangladesh factories improve their safety standards. Walmart director of ethical sourcing Sridevi Kalavakolanu asserted that the company would not agree to pay the higher cost, as such improvements in electrical and fire safety would be a "very extensive and costly modification" and that "it is not financially feasible for the brands to make such investments".Steven Greenhouse Documents Indicate Walmart Blocked Safety Push in Bangladesh https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/06/world/asia/3-walmart-suppliers-made-goods-in-bangladeshi-factory-where-112-died-in-fire.html The New York Times 5 December 2012 27 April 2013 Fire The fire, presumably caused by exposed wires, started on the ground floor of the nine-story factory, trapping the workers on the floors above. Because of the large amount of fabric and yarn in the factory, the fire was able to quickly spread to other floors, complicating firefighting operations. The fire burned for more than seventeen hours before the firefighters extinguished it.https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/26/world/asia/bangladesh-fire-kills-more-than-100-and-injures-many.html?_r=0 Factory Fire Kills More Than 100 People in Bangladesh Vikas Bajaj 25 November 2012 The New York Times 25 November 2012 28 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121128091216/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/26/world/asia/bangladesh-fire-kills-more-than-100-and-injures-many.html?_r=0 live Some workers who had escaped to the roof of the building were rescued.https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gKXx_gqe1uGuwA27iYzcFwlAtKYw?docId=3298302046584f89a10d067cc2a35786 112 killed in fire at Bangladesh garment factory Julhas Alam 25 November 2012 Associated Press 25 November 2012 26 May 2024 https://archive.today/20240526093140/https://www.webcitation.org/6CRQQJVUr?url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gKXx_gqe1uGuwA27iYzcFwlAtKYw%3FdocId=3298302046584f89a10d067cc2a35786 dead The fire department's operations manager, Mohammad Mahbub, stated that the factory lacked the adequate emergency exits that would have made it possible to escape from the building, especially since the fire broke out in the warehouse on the ground floor and quickly moved up to higher floors. Of the building's three staircases, all three led through the ground floor, making them extremely dangerous and unusable in the case of a ground floor fire. That left many workers trapped and unable to get safely out of the course of the fire. A crowd made up of thousands of relatives and onlookers gathered at the scene, causing Bangladesh Army soldiers to be deployed to maintain order. Victims Most of the victims were found on the second floor, where at least 69 bodies were recovered. Witnesses reported that many workers had been unable to escape through the narrow exits of the building. Twelve of the victims died leaping from windows to escape the flames, some of whom would die of other injuries after they had been taken to area hospitals. Many of the victims were unrecognizable because of the severity of the burns, which left families with no choice except to wait for DNA test results that could take up to six months. Investigation and legal Investigators found that the fire safety certificate had expired in June 2012.http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=260363 Tazreen's fire certification expired on June 30 8 December 2012 The Daily Star 5 January 2013 AP Three supervisors from the factory were arrested on 28 November on charges of criminal negligence. Police accused them of padlocking exits and preventing workers from leaving the building.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20522593 Bangladesh arrests three over deadly factory fire 28 November 2012 BBC News 28 November 2012 29 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121129044255/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20522593 live According to survivor Mohammad Ripu, who jumped off of the second floor, the factory manager told them "The fire alarm had just gone out of order. Go back to work."Thousands protest after Bangladesh fire traps workers, kills at least 112 http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/26/15446713-thousands-protest-after-bangladesh-fire-traps-workers-kills-at-least-112 NBC News 19 November 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141129051815/http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/26/15446713-thousands-protest-after-bangladesh-fire-traps-workers-kills-at-least-112 2014-11-29 In December 2013, 13 months after the fire, Bangladesh police filed a warrant for the arrest of Delwar Hossain, the owner and managing director of Tazreen Fashions Ltd.Mayu Saini 31 December 2013 Warrant for Arrest of Tazreen Owner Issued http://www.wwd.com/business-news/legal/warrant-for-arrest-of-tazreen-owner-issued-7327727?src=nl/mornReport/20140102 WWD 2 January 2014 Fourteen months after the fire, Hossain was charged with the death by negligence of the victims, and he is awaiting trial in prison. This is the first time in Bangladesh that a factory owner has been formally charged in response to the deaths of workers. Saydia Gulrukh, an academic who has worked to bring Hossain to court, stated that "International pressure definitely influenced [the case]"; with the evolving attitudes towards workers' rights pushing the case into the global spotlight.Joseph Allchin In Bangladesh, Charging of Garment Factory Owner Spurs Hope of New Era of Accountability https://time.com/6607/bangladesh-tazreen-factory-owner-charged/ Time 19 November 2014 Response Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stated her shock at the death toll and called for thorough search-and-rescue operations. She also stated her suspicion that the fire had been arson and an act of "sabotage."https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/27/world/asia/garment-workers-stage-protest-in-bangladesh-after-deadly-fire.html Garment Workers Stage Angry Protest After Bangladesh Fire Julfikar Ali Manik and Jim Yardley 26 November 2012 The New York Times 26 November 2012 27 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121127220804/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/27/world/asia/garment-workers-stage-protest-in-bangladesh-after-deadly-fire.html live Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir also alleged that arsonists were responsible, citing fires at other clothing factories, including one incident where employees were filmed on CCTV attempting to set fire to stockpiled cotton. However, the Home Minister later discounted the claim.https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/30/world/asia/justice-elusive-in-a-bangladesh-factory-disaster.html Justice Still Elusive in Factory Disasters in Bangladesh Jim Yardley 29 June 2013 The New York Times 30 June 2013 4 July 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130704045648/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/30/world/asia/justice-elusive-in-a-bangladesh-factory-disaster.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 live The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association offered compensation of $1,250 to each of the dead victim's families, which is approximately two years' pay for the average factory worker. Tazreen Factory owner Delwar Hossain stated that the premises had not been unsafe, adding, "It is a huge loss for my staff and my factory. This is the first time we have ever had a fire at one of my seven factories"http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/afp/garment-factory-blaze-kills-109-in-bangladesh/558153 Garment factory blaze kills 109 in Bangladesh Kamrul Hasan Khan 25 November 2012 Jakarta Globe 25 November 2012 Agence France-Presse 4 January 2013 https://archive.today/20130104214840/http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/afp/garment-factory-blaze-kills-109-in-bangladesh/558153 dead In addition, the government declared 27 November 2012 a national day of mourning with the country flag flying at half-mast to honor the victims. Fire and workplace safety On 27 November, Walmart America ended its relationship with the Tuba company, which Walmart stated had been contracted by a supplier without its knowledge. The corporation also said that it would be working with suppliers to improve fire safety.http://theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=143241:wal-mart-terminates-business-with-tuba&catid=129:frontpage&Itemid=121 Wal-Mart terminates business with Tuba 27 November 2012 The Independent Dhaka 27 November 2012 30 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121130033340/http://theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=143241:wal-mart-terminates-business-with-tuba&catid=129:frontpage&Itemid=121 dead Walmart also said it would donate US$1,600,000 to Institute for Sustainable Communities, which would use the donation to set up an Environmental, Health and Safety Academy in Bangladesh.Jessica Wohl Walmart Looks To Tighten Controls On Suppliers, Donates To Bangladesh Factory Training School Huffington Post 9 April 2013 https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/09/walmart-suppliers-bangladesh-factory_n_3044266.html Scott Nova, executive director of Worker Rights Consortium, said the donation is too little to make the industry safe, particularly because many factories do not even have basic safety features such as fire escapes.Wal-Mart, Sears Refuse Compensation for Factory Victims Renee Dudley Bloomberg 15 April 2013 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-14/wal-mart-sears-refuse-compensation-for-factory-victims.html On 15 May 2013, companies whose clothing was manufactured at the Tazreen Design Ltd. factory met in Geneva to discuss compensation payments for the victims of the fire; Walmart and Sears declined to send representatives to the meeting for unknown reasons. Thousands of Bangladeshi garment workers protested at the site of the fire, calling for better workplace safety.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20506179 Bangladesh factory fire 'troubles' Walmart 26 November 2012 BBC News 26 November 2012 27 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121127111908/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20506179 live The protests continued for three days and blocked a major highway.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bangladesh-fire-idUSBRE8AR0FQ20121128 Protests rage over Bangladesh factory fire, supervisors arrested Ruma Paul 28 November 2012 Reuters 28 November 2012 29 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121129003920/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/28/us-bangladesh-fire-idUSBRE8AR0FQ20121128 live Two hundred factories closed their doors during the protest to pay respect to the victims. The factory owners wanted to protect the equipment inside since the protests had become chaotic with stone throwing and smashing of vehicles. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association announced plans to expel 850 factories from its membership due to noncompliance with safety and labor standards. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have also urged the U.S. Trade Representative's office to complete its review of Bangladesh's compliance with eligibility requirements for the Generalized System of Preferences.Kristi Ellis Lawmakers Want Review of Bangladesh Trade Status http://www.wwd.com/business-news/government-trade/lawmakers-want-review-of-bangladesh-trade-status-6551666 WWD 20 December 2012 21 December 2012 Revised regulations In November 2013, three safety regulation groups, the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety and the National Tripartite Plan of Action on Fire Safety and Structural Integrity in the garment Sector of Bangladesh (NTPA), agreed to look into adopting a new unified set of workplace safety standards for clothing manufacturing factories. The new standards would call for increased training of factory inspectors. The inspections would be carried out by two different inspectors with their experience in the field each being a minimum of five years and combining for a minimum total of 20 years. They would also regulate the spacing of exits making sure that there are ways to escape the building from multiple sides and the amount of machinery on each floor will have a cap allowing easy access to each exit.Syed Zain Al-Mahmoud Safety Groups Agree on Standards for Bangladesh Garment Factories https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304337404579209954273740442 The Wall Street Journal 19 November 2014 21 November 2013 As a move to increase factory and worker well-being, over 24 U.S. companies initiated by Wal-Mart and Gap Inc. have signed a pact. The pact holds them accountable to invest in factory inspections and upgrades and personally oversee the inspections of 600 of Bangladesh's clothing factories. Over 100 European brands have agreed to maintain their contracts with Bangladesh's factories and to pay a share of the upgrade and maintenance costs for a two-year period while overseeing the inspection of approximately 1,600 clothing factories. The National Government of Bangladesh pledged to inspect 1,200 more factories, which means that well over half of Bangladesh's 5,000 clothing factories will be inspected with these new regulations in the near future. Related occurrences On 8 May 2013, a fire swept through another garment factory in Dhaka, killing at least seven people.Seven dead in Bangladesh garment factory blaze https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22460803#TWEET749128 BBC News 9 May 2013 9 May 2013 On 24 April 2013, Rana Plaza, an eight-story building in the suburb of Savar which housed multiple clothing manufacturing companies along with a bank and some apartments, collapsed killing over 1,100 workers and injuring 2,000 more. The building was evacuated days earlier due to a large crack spotted on one of the outer walls. After the accident, the owner of the building was arrested for not possessing adequate safety permits when constructing Rana Plaza, and the clothing factory managers were detained for making their employees come to work in an unsafe environment.Syed Zain Al-Mahmoud Bangladesh Factory Toll Passes 800 https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323744604578470513451257362 The Wall Street Journal 19 November 2014 8 May 2013 See also 2005 Dhaka garment factory collapse 2012 Pakistan garment factory fires 2013 Savar building collapse 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire 2010 Dhaka fire February 2019 Dhaka fire 2021 Narayanganj factory fire 2025 Dhaka garment factory fire Bangladesh References External links Survivor of Bangladesh's Tazreen Factory Fire Urges U.S. Retailers to Stop Blocking Worker Safety. Democracy Now! 25 April 2013. Category:2012 fires in Asia Category:2012 industrial disasters Category:Factory fires Category:Building and structure fires in Dhaka Category:Clothing industry disasters in Bangladesh Category:Industrial fires and explosions in Dhaka Category:November 2012 in Bangladesh Category:2012 in Dhaka Category:Fire disasters involving barricaded escape routes Category:2012 disasters in Bangladesh