Workers protest over gas-free certificate after 10 die in shipbreaking accident

Leaders of the Shipbreaking Workers Safety Committee on Monday protested and surrounded the Chattogram office of the Department of Explosives, demanding an investigation into the gas-free certificate issued for the MT Rasi, after 10 workers died from toxic hydrogen sulphide exposure at Ferdous Steel Recycling Industries in Sitakunda.

The workers held a protest rally outside the department’s office before marching to the office of its deputy inspector general. They later submitted a memorandum to the inspector general through Deputy Inspector General Dr Md Asadul Islam.

Nine workers died at the site after being exposed to toxic hydrogen sulphide gas while working at the shipbreaking yard on August 14. Another worker died while undergoing treatment on August 21, bringing the death toll to 10. Several others were injured.

Tapan Dutta, president of the Chattogram district committee of the Trade Union Centre, said the incident raised serious questions about safety measures in the shipbreaking industry and the system for detecting hazardous gases and substances aboard ships.

AM Nazim Uddin, president of the Chattogram divisional committee of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, said those concerned claimed that the MT Rasi had received a gas-free certificate from the Department of Explosives before being used for shipbreaking.

He questioned how workers could have been exposed to lethal levels of hydrogen sulphide if the vessel had been certified gas-free.

The protesters demanded that the certified copy of the gas-free certificate be made public and that the entire certification process be investigated. They also called for verification of gas-testing reports and logs, identification of the source and actual concentration of the gas, and determination of responsibility for the deaths.

BILS Chattogram coordinator Fazlul Kabir Mintu said responsibility for workers’ safety does not rest solely with shipyard owners. He called for scrutiny of the approval, inspection and certification procedures followed by the relevant authorities.

Deputy Inspector General Dr Md Asadul Islam said inspecting ballast tanks does not fall within the Department of Explosives’ responsibilities. However, he assured the protesters that the matter would be considered seriously.

The workers’ leaders demanded an impartial investigation, legal action against anyone found responsible and stronger safety measures in the shipbreaking industry.

SKS