Tragedy of horrendous proportion struck the workers in a garment factory located inside the Rana Plaza in Savar 6 years ago. Most of the surviving victims still carry the painful memory and physical pain like an unbearable burden. For many, life has been reduced to mere existence to remain at the mercy of other relations. While paying homage to victims who met tragic end in Rana Plaza building collapse, survivors, relatives, fellow workers and different workers organisation on Wednesday demanded exemplary punishment to those responsible for such man-made disaster.
The Rana Plaza tragedy took place on 24 April in 2013 claiming lives of 1,133 RMG workers. It was the worst man-made disaster in the country’s history in a work place.
They also accused the authorities concerned of not providing proper care for the injured workers. Since morning, survivors, relatives, fellow workers, different workers’ organisations, local administration, law enforcers and people from all walks of lives thronged Rana Plaza Memorial, that stands on the vacant land of the building site adjacent to capital Dhaka to pay rich tributes to the victims.
“I have no rice in my house, but who cares. I lost my hands and legs. I can’t work. I starve as nobody gives me work. How and in what way I shall continue my cursed life? An injured RMG female worker told reporters with emotion-choked voice.Like her, many injured workers who attended Rana Plaza memorial, echoing the same emotion, expressed their utter dismay and said they are passing days in absolute wretchedness.
They placed floral wreath at the base of the Rana Plaza memorial and they also expressed their utter dismay over negligence of the authorities concerned. Besides, a section of labour rights groups also formed human chains on Dhaka-Aricha highway demanding compensation for the survivors of Rana Plaza. “Survivors of the disaster should have access to free medical care for life,” said KhirulMamunMintu, organizing secretary of Garments Workers Trade Union Centre. Lovely Yasmin, president of Readymade Garments Worker Federation, demanded quick punishment of Sohel Rana and others involved in the incident.