PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL)

1. Bangladesh Legal Aid & Services Trust (BLAST)
2. Ain o Shalish Kendra (ASK),
3. Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (BELA)
4. Safety and Rights Society (SRS).

On 8th July 2021, a fire broke out at the Shezan Juice Factory in Narayanganj causing the death of 52 workers and injury to 50 workers.  The petitioners filed the  case challenging the failure of the respondents to ensure effective enforcement of applicable laws on workplace safety, in particular regarding prevention of fires, and also laws on building safety, resulting in these deaths and injuries , and amounting to breach of their constitutional duties, including the duty to protect the right to life and other specific statutory duties. They also sought directions to ensure adequate compensation for all the victims

i) To direct the Respondents 14 and 15 to pay compensation for the violation of fundamental rights amounting to Taka 1(one) Crore to each of the injured workers and Taka 5 (five) Crore to the family members of each of the workers killed in the said factory fire.

ii) To ensure appropriate protective measures, in particular safety precautions, in the event of factory fires and to implement and enforce legal provisions for the rehabilitation of the victims of such incidents as well as making available appropriate medical treatment for victims.

iii) To ensure that the respondent No. 5 has adequate manpower to conduct its activities in all induestries
The Court also directed three authorities, the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, the Deputy Commissioner, Narayanganj and the Fire Service & Civil Defence Directorate, to submit their investigation reports to the Court within 30 days.