Labour leaders rally at Jatiya Press Club, demanding justice, compensation and safer working conditions after shipbreaking deaths. Photo : Collected

DHAKA, August 17, 2026 (BSS) – Labour rights leaders today vowed to continue their struggle until the rights, safety and dignity of workers in the shipbreaking industry are ensured.

They made the pledge at a protest rally held in front of the Jatiya Press Club here, protesting the deaths of nine workers from toxic gas exposure while cutting a scrap vessel at Ferdous Steel Ship Breaking Yard in Sitakunda.

Organised by the National Advocacy Alliance for Workers’ Rights (NAWR) and the Workers’ Safety Forum (WSF), the rally also demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible, compensation for the victims and a safe working environment.

Central committee chief coordinator of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, MP, BILS Executive Director Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, AAM Foyez Hossain, Saifuzzaman Badsha, Badal Khan and Rajekuzzaman Ratan, among others, addressed the rally.

The speakers demanded a transparent investigation into the accident, exemplary punishment for those responsible, adequate compensation for the families of the deceased and advanced medical treatment for the injured.

They also called for the inclusion of workers’ representatives in every accident investigation committee, formation of effective safety committees, regular inspection of shipbreaking yards and ensuring workers’ right to refuse unsafe work.

The speakers said 149 workers have been killed in the shipbreaking industry from 2015 to August 15, 2026. Between June 26, 2025 and August 14, 2026, 15 workers were killed and 81 others were injured in the industry.