Rana Plaza victims 'yet' to be compensated

Most victims and their families of Bangladesh’s worst building collapse are yet to get long-term compensation recommended by a committee formed on the High Court’s order, according to a private research organisation.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 27 Jan 2014, 04:56 AM
Updated : 27 Jan 2014, 04:59 AM

Dhaka University’s Professor MM Akash blamed the owners for the delay in implementing the court's order.

BGMEA chief Atiqul Islam, present at the unveiling of the report by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), promised to bear cost of the children of the workers who died or suffered injuries in the Rana Plaza collapse.

Over 1,100 people, mostly ready-made garment workers died in the Apr 24, 2013 building collapse at Savar, near Dhaka.

More than 2,000 workers were injured and many are still missing. The multi-storied building had five garment factories operating out of it.

Apart from promises of help from government and private agencies, the court had asked for payment of compensation to the workers who suffered.

Bangladesh is the second largest exporter of readymade garments after China.

The sector, which accounts for nearly 80 percent of the country's export income, has been blamed for its poor working condition and low wages.

The $20 billion industry employs an estimated four million workers, mostly women.

CPD’s Additional Research Director KG Moazzem presented the second evaluation report on various steps taken after the building collapse and the latest situation.

He said only 40 of the victims had got the long-term compensation as announced by the Prime Minister.

Another 777 victims had been given Tk 100,000 each and 843 others got Tk 20,000 each as short-term compensation.

“After the incident, the Prime Minister’s fund had Tk 1 billion. Of it, only Tk 188.6 million has been spent. The rest of the fund is sitting idle,” he said.

A subcommittee was formed last August to fix the compensation rate for the Rana Plaza victims based on a suo moto rule issued by the High Court.

Dhaka University professor Akash, who heads the sub-committee, says it has not been possible to submit the committee’s recommendation as the BGMEA was yet to sign it.

“Those who had lost their jobs, have been recommended similar jobs,” Akash said.

“However, no recommendation could be made for the workers rescued, many of whom were injured, as there was no list of them,” he said.

The committee has recommended Tk 1.5 million to each of the physically disabled and dead workers, Tk 700,000 each for workers who had lost limbs, and Tk 150,000 each for workers who suffered psychological trauma.

BGMEA chief Islam said they would bear all the cost of 300 children of those who had died during Rana Plaza tragedy until they reach 18 years of age.

“We have already taken charge of 30 children. Of them, 11 have been admitted at Old Rajshahi Cadet College,” he said at the programme.

“We can take charge of 270 more children,” he added.

The business leader said they were training garment workers with assistance from the fire service.

He claimed a vested quarter wants to destroy the garment sector.