RMG worker’s horrific death in washing machine

A garment factory worker in Gazipur died while working inside the washing machine.

Deceased Noyon Mia (22) was an assistant operator at Giant Textile Limited in Gazipur. He was living in a rented house in the Memberpara area of ​​the district.

His shift started at 08:00 in the morning and was supposed to end at 20:00 on Saturday evening. However, Mirazul Islam, additional superintendent of Ghazipur police, said one of his colleagues asked him to stay longer for additional work.

Mirazul said, “The next shift was not informed of Noyon’s presence in the washing machine,” and added: “Around 20:00 in the evening, Noyon entered the washing machine to load fabric. The operator of the next shift saw the fabric in the washing machine and turned it. He was unaware that Noyon was inside.”

Noyon got tangled in fabrics and suffered burns from the hot water.

Around 3 a.m., when the operator went to pick up the fabrics, he saw Noyon’s body inside the machine and screamed. Other officers entered immediately.

Contacted about the incident, the general manager of the factory, Omaar Faruk, said, “We, together with a colleague, were shocked by the accident that occurred in our factory. We immediately informed the police and asked for a comprehensive investigation into how the accident occurred. This unfortunate incident occurred. We are in full cooperation with the police.”

“We immediately formed an internal investigation committee. We also fully support the victim’s family. We stand with this family at this difficult time.”

Noyon’s wife, Ema Akter, claimed that factory officials frequently made her work two hours beyond her scheduled shift.

“They regularly forced him to work extra hours. His main job was to carry fabrics, but without training or operator he would be assigned to work on the washing machine,” he claimed.

She said her husband probably accessed the machine without understanding its operation.

Ema also said that factory officials handed over Noyon’s body to the police without informing the family. “I found out this morning that he died.”

Factory manager Sohel Rana said Noyon was kept for extra hours due to work pressure.

“While Noyon was loading fabric, the machine operator took a break. When the operator returned and could not see Noyon, he assumed that the machine was empty and started the machine,” he said.

Gazipur Industrial Police-2 inspector Abdul Latif said Noyon was forced to work overtime and died due to negligence on the part of factory officials.

Abdul Halim, officer-in-charge of Joydebpur Police Station, said that the police found Noyon’s body following a tip-off and sent it to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

He said police detained eight factory officials for questioning. “Legal action will be initiated upon the family’s complaint.”