CEPZ fire: With factories gutted, will workers be able to keep their jobs?

Himu Akter, 14, lost her father before she was even old enough to understand the significance of death. Her family now consists of her mother and younger sister. To support them, Himu had been working for the past one year and a month at Adams Caps and Textiles.

On 16 October, a devastating fire broke out in the seven-storey building of Adams Caps and Jiehong Medical Products inside the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ). The fire burned for more than 17 hours, reducing property worth hundreds of crores to ashes.

The factory now lies in ruins. 

"I heard that many people at CEPZ have lost their jobs in the past few months, so when our factory caught fire, the first thing that came to my mind was also fear of unemployment," said Himu.

The building had structural flaws and lacked a mandatory fire safety plan, according to fire service officials. They said warehouses on several floors were not built following proper rules, which may have delayed firefighting efforts. 

Although the building had a fire detection alarm system and extinguishers, they were not adequate. In an instant, the livelihoods of around 3,000 workers were thrown into uncertainty.

"The company has told us that we will keep our jobs. They've given us a few days' leave for now. But they haven't yet said where or how we will resume work. They said they will decide after internal discussions. But until something is certain, the fear won't go away." — Himu Akter, worker, Adams Caps and Textiles, CEPZ

Adams produced towels and caps, while Jiehong Medical produced surgical gowns. Both warehouses were located on the seventh floor — where the fire originated. The flames then spread across the entire top floor. Throughout that night, small explosions were heard intermittently inside the factory. Later, the Fire Service managed to bring the fire under control.

Companies assure no layoffs, but workers remain anxious 

The owners of both Adams Caps and Jiehong Medical Products have assured the workers that no one will lose their jobs. Several workers from the two factories confirmed receiving this assurance. Still, they said the anxiety will remain until they actually return to work.

"They've given us a few days off for now. But they haven't yet said where or how we will resume work. They said they'll decide after internal discussions. Still, until something is certain, the fear won't go away," said Himu.

Rumpa, a worker at Jiehong Medical Products, echoed, "They haven't said we'll lose our jobs, but the company told us they'll give a final decision in a few days. If we do lose our jobs, our families will be on the streets. Many workers have already lost their jobs here. If the same happens to us, surviving will be very difficult."

When asked about the workers' job security, Mofazzal Hossain, head of HR and Admin at Jiehong Medical Products, said, "Jiehong Medical Products also operates another factory inside the Chattogram EPZ and one in the Mirsarai Economic Zone. The company has already offered workers the opportunity to join those facilities while retaining their previous benefits and positions."

He added, "Shifts will be arranged day and night at our other EPZ factory, while the remaining workers have been advised to join the Mirsarai plant."

CEPZ Additional Executive Director (Industrial Relations) Ashaque Mohammad Shahadat Hossain said, "Discussions have already been held with the two companies. Adams Caps and Textile Limited, which also owns another factory named Al-Hamidi nearby, plans to continue operations from that facility."

However, Ahmed Dipu, Bangladesh Head of Adams Caps and Textile Limited, said that the company is still working on the issue and declined to comment further at this stage.

Workers recall the tragedy

Workers were also asked about the moment the fire broke out, how they managed to escape, and what it felt like to watch their workplace burn before their eyes.

Yasin, a worker from Jiehong, said, "After lunch, a female colleague on the third floor smelled something burning. We went upstairs and saw thick black smoke and flames on the seventh floor. We quickly alerted others, and everyone was asked to evacuate immediately."

Ismat Ara, another worker, said, "We were working as usual. The products were already packed and ready for delivery. They were being prepared for loading onto trucks. Suddenly, we heard we had to get out. When we reached downstairs, we saw flames roaring above us. My chest twisted in pain seeing my workplace being destroyed like that."

Officials from both the companies also recounted the day the fire broke out. 

Rifat Hasan, finance manager of Adams Caps and Textiles, said, "As soon as the fire broke out in the storage area where raw materials and fabrics were kept, we immediately evacuated all workers safely. No casualties occurred."

Borhan Uddin, senior executive of Jiehong Medical, said, "Most of our raw materials and export-ready goods stored on the sixth and seventh floors were completely destroyed by the fire. But thankfully, no workers were harmed."