A devastating fire has gutted jute bag manufacturing factory Oporajeo, which was founded in 2013 in Savar with the injured workers of Rana Plaza.

The factory was founded under a trust on June 24, 2013 with six plain sewing machines and seven workers. Here the workers, mostly women, were labelled as owners.

They were given congenial working environment, profit share, free lunch, medical assistance and educational support for their children.

The factory having 50 workers used to manufacture different jute bags for local and international clients with 48 different types of machines. Of the workers, 40 are the victims of the Rana Plaza building collapse.

The fire broke out around 9:45pm on Sunday, Chief Executive Worker of the unique-styled factory Kazi Monir Hossain Rintu said. He, however, could not confirm immediately how the fire had originated.

There were no worker inside the factory, located on the ground floor of a building in Thana Bus Stand area, at the time of fire, he added.

Fire fighters brought the blaze under control around 10:45pm.

Rintu quoting fire fighters said the fire had not originated from an electric short-circuit. They found the factory’s back door broken and suspect that miscreants set the factory on fire after the workers left the place.

Recently, a group of pro-government Chhatra League activists demanded money from Monir. As he refused to pay, they threatened him with dire consequences. Monir later informed the local Awami League leaders about the matter who through a discussion minimised it.

Being under the cruel eyes of the influential quarters, Oporajeo authorities had plans to shift the factory from Savar to Mirpur.

Rintu on Monday said they would resume work at the factory from March 20!

Salute to this brave worker!!!

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