The Garment Workers’ Trade Union Center (GWTUC) informs about a gas explosion at a garment factory run by Pretty Composite Textiles Ltd last Sunday (September 20th). The factory is located in Ashulia, a small town just in front of the gates of Dhaka and is part of the Pretty Group – or as they describe themselves: “Bangladesh’s No.1 RMG Conglomerate”. (prettygroupbd.com). Their main customers include brands such as BESTSELLER, C&A, GAP, NEXT, uniqlo and ZARA selling their products in Europe, the Americas as well as the Asia-Pacific region.

Seven workers died – six inside the factory premises and one outside – and at least 25 were injured as a result of the explosion. (thedailystar.net) According to the Fire Service and Department of Explosives the gas transportation and use system was “completely illegal and unsafe”.

Confirming the matter, Ashulia Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Tarikul Islam told The Business Standard, “A case of culpable homicide has been filed over the cylinder explosion at the Pretty Group factory premises. Sub-Inspector Abu Taleb filed the case as the complainant, naming six responsible officials of Pretty Group and 10 to 12 unidentified people as accused.”

source: tbsnews.net (2)

In reaction comrades of the GWTUC rallied in Dhaka spontaneously and released the below statement.

On the banner ist says:

Workers of the world, unite!
This is not an accident, it is institutional murder of workers due to negligence.
Ensure justice, fair compensation, and proper medical treatment for the incident at the Pretty Group factory premises in Jamgora, Ashulia, where at least 7 people lost their lives and many were injured due to the illegal and highly risky transportation of gas cylinders.
Garment Workers’ Trade Union Center

Below a translation of the press release by GWTUC is published. The original in Bangla can be accessed here.

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Workers of the World, Unite!

Garment Workers’ Trade Union Center Head Office:
Mukti Bhaban (4th Floor), 2 Comrade Moni Singh Road, Purana Paltan, Dhaka-1000.

Press Release
21 September 2026

GWTUC protests explosion at Pretty Group’s garment factory in Ashulia

This Loss of Life is Not an Accident, It is Negligence-Driven Labor Homicide

Demand for Trial, Fair Compensation, and Proper Medical Treatment

Garment Workers’ Trade Union Center has expresses deep anger and protest over the death of 8 people so far and the injuries of many people in an explosion and fire caused by illegal and highly risky gas cylinder transportation on the premises of the Pretty Group factory in Jamgora, Ashulia. There is no scope to evade responsibility by calling this incident a mere “accident.” This loss of life has occurred due to failure to ensure safety at the workers’ workplace, and because no effective measures were taken to stop unsafe and illegal gas cylinder transportation and risky operations. This is a negligence-driven labor homicide, and those responsible must bear the liability.

Today at 5:00 PM, a protest rally was held by GWTUC in the Purana Paltan and National Press Club areas. Following the rally, a protest meeting was held under the chairmanship of Advocate Montu Ghosh, President of GWTUC, and conducted by General Secretary Sadekur Rahman Shamim. Central leaders including Vice President Joly Talukder, Central Leader Dulal Saha, and Azizul Islam spoke at the meeting.

At the rally, the GWTUC leadership stated that workers’ lives are more valuable than any institutional profit. It is repeatedly observed that factories and industrial sectors violate safety regulations, transport flammable and dangerous substances illegally, and workers have to pay with their lives for the negligence of the authorities. The authorities concerned must answer for what steps they took regarding safety, how such risky transportation was approved, and who is responsible for the lapse in safety. The owners, the concerned establishment, and the responsible state agencies cannot escape accountability for this gross negligence or irresponsibility. GWTUC demands the immediate formation of an independent and acceptable inquiry committee to uncover the true causes of the incident and identify those responsible. Workers will not accept any attempt to delay the investigation or protect the culprits. The investigation report must be made public, and exemplary punitive action must be taken against the responsible individuals, establishments, and concerned officials. At the same time, safety regulations must be strictly enforced, and regular inspections must be ensured regarding the transportation and use of all types of hazardous and flammable substances, including gas cylinders, in industrial sectors.

GWTUC demands fair and adequate compensation for each deceased worker’s family in accordance with the ILO Convention, long-term financial security due to the loss of earning members, and the rehabilitation of the affected families. Furthermore the highest quality of medical treatment for the injured must be ensured at government expense, and compensation must be provided for medical costs, loss of work capacity, and future livelihood damage. Under no circumstances can the burden of the workers’ treatment or compensation be shifted onto their families.

GWTUC emphasizes that workers’ safety is a right, not a charity. Due to the lack of safety in workplaces, catastrophic deaths of workers are allowed to happen one after another. For every loss of life, liability must be fixed, and trial and fair compensation must be ensured. The state and the owners cannot avoid their liability by not taking measures to protect workers’ lives and instead showing negligence after an incident by paying some compensation. In the future, to prevent such homicides, effective safety committees must be formed with the participation of workers, and safety regulations must be implemented.

GWTUC expresses deep condolences to the families of the deceased and solidarity with the injured, demanding immediate trial, fair compensation, and proper medical treatment. Any negligence, failure, or attempt to evade liability regarding workers’ lives would not be tolerated. The united movement of the workers will continue to ensure the trial of those responsible and the safety of workers.

Sender: Lutfar Rahman Akash, Office Secretary