The Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) expresses its deepest condolences to the families, loved ones and communities of the 16 Bangladeshi workers who lost their lives in the tragic fire at a furniture factory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The loss of 16 workers in a workplace fire is a devastating reminder that every worker has the fundamental right to a safe and healthy working environment. No worker should lose their life simply for going to work. We mourn with the families of the victims and stand in solidarity with Bangladeshi migrant workers and their unions.

BWI calls on the governments of Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh to conduct a full, transparent, and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire, including workplace safety and regulatory conditions. The authorities must learn from this tragedy and take all necessary measures to ensure that migrant workers are adequately protected from workplace hazards.

We also urge both governments and all relevant authorities to ensure that the affected workers and their families receive all benefits, compensation and assistance to which they are entitled, and that the remains of the deceased workers are repatriated to Bangladesh without delay and at no cost to their families.

The deaths of these 16 workers must not be reduced to a tragic statistic. Their lives, dignity and rights must be honoured through accountability, justice and stronger protections for all workers.