Déjà vu: The workers died due to suffocation

Whether it was lack of safety protocols or negligence, the government is to be blamed.

Shajia Abidi June 14, 2014
‘The workers died due to suffocation’ – this is not the first time we have heard news like this.

The first time we heard it was back in 2012.

Two years ago, on September 11, 2012, when the garment factory caught fire claiming 259 lives and injuring 140. They called for help, screamed and shouted in agony but all in vain. The rescue forces didn’t get there in time. There were no fire escapes, fire retardants or safety measures. The doors were locked and the only unlocked door was on fire. One might think that they could have used the windows to escape instead but how could they? The windows were too small and barred with iron rods. They only had two choices – die of suffocation or burn to death.

They weren’t just 259 people who died that day. Mothers died the moment they heard about their sons’ demise, wives turned widows and children turned fatherless. For God’s sake, they were the breadwinners of the families. They weren’t just 259 people, they were 259 families.

But did the government care?

Did the government pass any law for the safety of its citizens?

Did the government do justice to the workers?

My guess would be no. Because if the government cared, if they did anything for the betterment of the country, if they did anything except negotiating and carrying out ‘peace talks’, those innocent people, the seven men who died in a cold storage room, would have been alive today.

They too, called for help. They were in contact with the families and with the authorities. They complained, protested and appealed, but no one listened to them. They waited for their death in the cold storage room while families were praying for their safe return and authorities were busy doing what they always do – nothing. And as result of this negligence, they are dead.

The families of the deceased didn’t even get to see the dead bodies for the last time thanks to the authorities who did nothing; their bodies were unidentifiable. The corpses were so severely burnt that the identification was only possible through DNA tests. Luckily enough, the families identified the dead bodies with familiar marks and NIC’s otherwise lab tests would have taken up to three weeks to provide results.

Whether it was lack of safety protocols or negligence, the government is to be blamed. If they could not manage to do anything after the death of 259 people, I hardly believe they will be able to do anything now. Donating money, after the sole breadwinner of the family died, doesn’t count towards the betterment of either the families of the deceased or the nation.

The citizens of this nation are equally to be blamed for this act of terror and every other taking place. We live in a democratic country and if we can’t change anything or fight for our rights, then we are as responsible for our fate as much as the authorities are.
WRITTEN BY:
Shajia Abidi A journalist in the making. An ardent reader, who loves to explore different places and diverse cultures. Enthusiastic for a better Pakistan. She tweets at @abidishajia (https://twitter.com/abidishajia)
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (7)

Naila | 9 years ago | Reply The soldiers are doing their job. If they don't, Taliban will get more power and kill residents of the country. Who will out soldiers defend then?
Usman French | 9 years ago | Reply Your blog truly projects the government’s negligence over the suffocation of people inside cold storage room. Sadly, our government let the people die when a young lady is stoned to death in the presence of policemen, kids are died of malnutrition in Thar, or priceless lives are lost in airport tragedy. Government completely failed in protecting its people from insurgency. Your article was worth-reading deserving an appreciation. Perhaps, one thing I might find dubious how the relatives could recognize their beloved ones through NIC’s when they cannot be with corpses. However, it was a very good start and it would be pleasure to read more articles of yours in future.
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