Workplace Safety, Workers Right to Adequate Compensation

August 31, 2005 - PILs of 2005, Public Interest Litigation - no comments
Case Name and Number: Spectrum Garments Case, Writ PetitionNo.3566/2005
Parties: Md. Kamal Hossain and others Vs. Bangladesh and others
Court: High Court Division of the Supreme Court
Judges: Justice Md. Abdul Matin, Justice A. F. M. Abdur Rahman
ASK’s Role: Petitioner
Conducting Lawyer: Dr. Kamal Hossain, Md. Iqbal Kabir
Subject Matter: ASK with other human rights organisations filed this PIL addressing the failure of the concerned authorities to discharge their statutory duties and responsibilities relating to building construction, labour safety and welfare. In consequence of such failure, a nine-stored factory building, which was owned by a garment manufacturer, collapsed leaving 69 dead and 89 injured.
Court’s Response: The Court issued a rule nisi upon the respondents on May 25, 2005 as to why they should not be directed to take necessary measures and legal actions to carry out and conduct an effective public inquiry by a commission to identify the reasons for the collapse and persons and agencies responsible and to make recommendation to prevent any such disaster in future and to secure payment of adequate compensation and arrange for rehabilitation in favour of the victims of the said collapse. Court also directed to submit reports before the Court on legality of the construction of the building, ownership of the land and safety conditions of the buildings.
Current Status: The case is pending for final hearing.
ASK Contact: Abu Obaidur Rahman, Senior Coordinator, Legal Advocacy & Policy Reform Unit. Email:ask@citechco.net