Savar death toll crosses 700

Death toll in Savar tragedy has crossed 700 and is likely to increase further as many more bodies are feared trapped under the rubble of the illegally constructed high-rise.

The control room set up by the Bangladesh army near the wrecked site put the figure at 711 around 2 pm on Tuesday. So far 551 bodies were handed over to their relatives.

“Most of the bodies found under the wreckage have decomposed,” one of the rescuers said.

Nine-storied Rana Plaza caved in on Apr 24 with around 3,500 people inside. Most of the victims were readymade garment workers employed at the five RMG units based in the building. These factories used to produce products for renowned western brands.

Bangladesh has emerged as the second largest exporter of readymade garments after China thanks to the duty-free access offered by the western countries. International retailers are attracted to Bangladesh for cheap labour cost. But to keep the production cost low, the RMG units are ignoring the safety norms.

Last month’s building collapse has again raised questions about working conditions in the country’s garment factories. This was third such accidents in past six months.

Following the worst-ever industrial disaster, the European Union threatened to reconsider Bangladesh’s preferential trading status.

Losing the access to European market under generalised system of preferences (GSP) would cost Bangladesh hundreds of millions of dollars in duties. GSP is designed to help developing countries grow through trade.

Bangladesh currently enjoys the most generous level of GSP in the region which imports around 60 percent of its products.

If the preferential status is withdrawn, normal import duties would be charged, which are 12 percent for many clothing items, Reuters said in a report.

This is the second such warnings from the EU this year. The 27-nation bloc has urged Bangladesh to “act immediately” to ensure factories across the country “comply with international labour standards”.

After a garment factory fire killed six persons, the bloc called on Bangladesh in January this year to ensure its factories complied with the International Labour Organization (ILO) standards.

A devastating fire at another factory last November killed over 110 workers prompting several US lawmakers to push its government to cancel its GSP deal with Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, hundreds of survivors and relatives of the deceased RMG workers have demonstrated at Savar blocking the busy Dhaka-Aricha Highway on Tuesday morning from around 10:15 am demanding salaries.

They withdrew the blockade after nearly two hours following assurance from the Dhaka Deputy Commissioner.

Owners of 145 damaged shops housed in the building held a human chain demanding compensation. Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation, too, held a human chain demanding compensation for the workers.

Fire service officials said it would take another week to complete the rescue operation.

After the latest tragedy, authorities, retailers and garment owners assured to improve safety measures in the sector.

Many factory owners however blamed foreign brands for the current scenario saying they were paying very less for the products.

"They pay you like a beggar and take quality like a king," Reuters quoted Abdul Mannan, who helped open up the industry when he was textiles minister in the early 1990s, in a report.