Hashem Foods and Beverage factory
Forty-nine cases have been filed against the owner of Hashem Foods and Beverage factory over the death of 51 people in the massive fire at the factory in Narayanganj on July 8 this year.
The cases were filed against Abul Hashem by Nesar Uddin, inspector of Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishment (DIFE) with Dhaka Labor Court (third) on behalf of the family members of the victims.
Soumen Barua, deputy inspector general of DIFE, Narayanganj told The Daily Star that an official of his department filed the cases in phases seeking compensation for the victims with the last case being filed a few days back.
"As per Labor Law if any worker dies in factories, the compensation for the victims must be paid through labor court. The cases were part of realising the compensation," he said.
Nesar Uddin, litigant of the cases told The Daily Star 51 workers died when the fire broke out at Hashem Foods factory.
They filed cases for 49 victims each. The other two cases will be filed after the identity of the victims are confirmed.
"As per Labor Law, in case of death, every worker is entitled to Tk 2 lakh in compensation while for injury, a worker will get an amount to the extent of his injury from the owner. If the owner does not take any responsibility, the worker will submit a complaint in the court with necessary medical papers. Then the court will take necessary action for this," he said.
A massive fire broke out at the factory of Hashem Foods and Beverage at Rupganj in Narayanganj on July 8 claiming the lives of 51 workers. The next day Nazim Uddin, sub-inspector of Rupganj Police Station filed a case over negligence in ensuring worker's safety prompting police to arrest eight including Abul Hashem and his four sons.
They were released on bail later.
The case was eventually handed over to CID for investigation.
