People over profits

Measures have been taken for factory inspections, committees and groups have been formed, however, compensation has remained in the background.  The Government have a fund but workers are still claiming they are yet to receive compensation. Even if they are, it is not adequate, a recent survey by Action Aid Bangladesh found that of the 2,222 surviving victims 66% find it difficult to make ends meet, whilst 76.2% need to visit Physicians.

An Immediate priority needs to be given to Compensating the injured, traumatised and dependant victims. The committees and boards which have been formed need to prioritise the workers’ rights which are long overdue.  

Responses should focus on improving working conditions rather than merely trying to improve the industry image that plays such a vital role in the economic growth of Bangladesh.

 Criminal Negligence

Justice was served when Delowar Hossain, owner of The Tazreen Factory (where 117 or more Workers burned alive) was sent to jail for Criminal Negligence. Sohel Rana, will also be trialled for Murder.  It is due to the people working behind the scenes we have seen this scale of justice, where for many years Owners have been escaping. We hope that this will send a clear message to Factory owners. 

This has been a failure of our state to hold those responsible in the past, if measures for building compliance and punishing such employers from previous factory disasters had been taken, Rana Plaza could have been avoided, therefore the Government have got to step up and take responsibility for the remaining victims as a matter of urgency.

 It is Criminal Negligence of the State if the victims continue to suffer a year on without being adequately compensated.

See State obligations in UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights