Shipbreaking moved to 'orange' category a month and a half after 10 workers died in Sitakunda; BAPA demands decision be suspended

The Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) has expressed concern over the government decision to move the shipbreaking industry from the environmental 'red' category to 'orange', a month and a half after 10 workers died in a single day from toxic gas in Sitakunda, Chattogram. The organisation demanded that the decision be suspended and the 'red' category retained.

BAPA president Professor Dr Nur Mohammad Talukdar and general secretary Md Alamgir Kabir expressed the concern in a statement on Tuesday. The statement also demanded that environmental experts, worker representatives and jurists be included in any reconsideration.

In the statement, BAPA said that on 14 August, 10 workers lost their lives in a single day from toxic gas at the Ferdous Ship Breaking Yard in Sitakunda. An investigation committee of the industries ministry found evidence of serious deficiencies and negligence in safety arrangements in that incident.

According to BAPA, a month and a half after that incident, on 29 September a government committee decided to move the shipbreaking industry from 'red' to 'orange' in the environmental classification. The International Labour Organization has identified this industry as one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. The statement said there is a fear that the change of category will reduce state oversight of the industry.

Under the Environment Conservation Rules 2023, industries in the 'red' category have a severe impact on the environment and human health. For that reason, a full environmental impact assessment (EIA) is mandatory before a new yard is established.

According to the owners' argument, approval in the 'red' category takes about 90 days, which causes financial loss. In BAPA's view, the loss of 10 workers' lives has become unimportant next to this argument.

BAPA said a committee formed at the Prime Minister's Office took the decision. The committee is chaired by the environment minister, and its members include the industries minister, the state minister for shipping and several secretaries. The organisation alleged that no representative of environmental experts, workers or civic organisations was kept on the committee. The statement also mentioned that environmentalists' opinions had been taken by the government when the decision was made.

In the statement, BAPA recommended keeping the EIA in place, setting a fixed timeframe for each step of the approval process, introducing online tracking, and striking a balance between the progress and the necessity of the process.

The organisation also demanded automatic reassessment of a certificate if a fatal accident occurs at any 'green yard' and cancellation of the certificate if accidents recur, publication of every accident investigation report, and a legal standard for compensation considering the dead or injured worker's age, remaining working life and the family's loss.