The workers cried, demanding compensation and justice

Even after 11 years of losing their relatives in a terrible accident and surviving from the rubble, the workers of various garment factories in Rana Plaza in Savar cried remembering that memory.

Standing on the street with banners and placards in the scorching sun, no one could hold back tears as Rana spoke of the memories of the Plaza collapse and the loss of loved ones.

The only sounds heard in the premises of the National Press Club were the cries of life lamenting the pain and paralysis of the loss of relatives.

The garment workers who lost their loved ones in the tragic accident, who suffered from paralysis due to medical expenses, stood in a human chain in the press club premises on Wednesday.

The workers were saying that since the collapse of Rana Plaza, they have been holding such human chain and protest marches every year. But they have not yet received the promised compensation. Also, the trial of the case has not been completed even in 11 years. But for a long time, they are spending their days in financial starvation with loss of relatives, paralysis.

On April 24, 2013, 1,135 people were killed in the collapse of eight-story Rana Plaza adjacent to Savar Bus Stand; Even if they survived, thousands more garment workers had to suffer paralysis.

Aklima, the victim of the incident that shook the whole world, cried while standing in a human chain on Wednesday.

Akalima was saying, “I was in the hospital with injuries after the building collapse. All these years after the accident I have not received any compensation. But how many clothes go abroad with our sweat, many foreigners praise us. But my family is starving.”

Besides demanding compensation for the accident, he demanded speedy trial of the accused Sohel Rana and others.

Sonia, who lost her brother in the Rana Plaza collapse, said in a human chain, “I did not get the amount of compensation that was supposed to be paid. At first, some money was given, but then there was no further information.

“I now work in another garment factory. I made many human bonds for my brother’s debt. I have marched with many people in such sunshine. No compensation was forthcoming. Shall we weep without compensation in this way? Won’t any of you look at us?”

Sohrab lost both hands in the Rana Plaza accident. His mother Manwara Begum was saying, “My son does not have two hands” in the press club premises. How many people do I still go to with my crippled son for the money owed by my son.

“I hear the government is making arrangements, but the money has not come to us.”

Relatives of the victims of the Rana Plaza collapse and the affected workers appeared in a human chain of the Combined Garment Workers Federation to describe their plight. He appeared with a banner reading ’11 years of killing of workers in Rana Plaza’. Some were holding placards saying ‘We want unprecedented punishment for Rana Plaza murder, including Rana’, ‘We want justice for Rana Plaza victims’, ‘NCOR rehabilitation and job for Rana Plaza victims’.

Nazma Akhtar, president of the Combined Garment Workers Federation, said, “You have heard the cries and pains of the affected workers here. How many more workers will we see dead just because of the negligence of the owners and the government and excessive profit.

“Workers can no longer be used as profit-making instruments. Political gains will not be returned. If the workers are not given the status they deserve and if this unstable situation continues, we will not be able to sustain this industry.”

Najma said, “On the day of Rana Plaza’s 11th anniversary, there is a session on the vote of the ‘Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive’ in the European Union Parliament. I call on all members of the European Union to vote for the ‘Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive’ on behalf of the workers in the garment industry in Bangladesh and the affected workers at Rana Plaza. Because if this law is confirmed, fairness will be ensured at every level of the supply chain.”

Many people including labor leaders Khadija Akhtar, Mumtaz Begum, Urmi Akhtar, Halima Begum and Bilkish Begum spoke while standing in the human chain.

Workers demand

The leaders of the Garment Workers Federation raised several demands from the human chain in the press club premises.

The demands are – Maximum punishment for all the accused including Sohel Rana, owner of Rana Plaza; Medical employment and rehabilitation of injured workers; Making good arrangements for the education of the children of the killed-injured workers; Signing agreement agreements with all buyers and brands; Freedom of trade unions and collective bargaining in all factories including EPZs; Social protection of workers and their occupational health safety.

In addition, to cover workers for accidents at work; Maternity leave fixed at six months; Enact legislation to prevent all forms of violence and sexual harassment against women at work and sign ILO Charter 190 and call on all members of the European Union Parliament to vote on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.

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