Different readymade garment (RMG) workers’ rights bodies on Friday urged for immediate compensation of Rana Plaza victims and an immediate punishment for the culprits behind the world’s most deadly garmet-factory catastrophe.The same demands were also made in a separate human chain held in front of the National Press Club in the capital on Friday marking the black day in the history of Bangladesh’s RMG sector. Demonstrators at the site in Savar held protest rallies and human chains demanding punishment of the culprits, including the main accused and owner of the building Sohel Rana.They came up with the urge at the second anniversary of Rana Plaza collapse claiming over 1,100 RMG workers’ life and more than 2,500 injuries.Earlier on April 24 in 2013, the building, consisting of clothing factories, a bank, apartments, and several other shops, collapsed during the morning rush-hour.The workers’ rights groups specially Garment Workers Trade Union Centre, Garment Workers Federation, Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Federation and Garment Sromik Oikyo Forum expressed their deep concern and showed demonstration to get the compensation for the victims of Rana Plaza.However, hundreds of common people gathered at the site in Savar, to show their agitation against the culprits responsible for the accident.The Programme was started by placing floral wreath at the Shaheed Bedi, the graveyard of the Rana Plaza victims, around 8:00am today. Hundreds of people swarmed the place protesting and remembering the deadly incident. The agitated people yielded placards demanding compensation for the victims of Rana Plaza.They also criticized the government and Bangladesh Garment Manufactures & Exporters Association (BGMEA) for not making any specific announcement of financial assistance to the Rana Plaza victims.Four political organisations Jatiyo Mukti Council, Naya Gonotantrik Gonomoncha, Jatiyo Gonotantrik Gonomancha and Jatiyo Gonofront placing forth a banner urged all to mark April 24 as the day of mourning as a large number of garment workers were killed in the day.European Union (EU) has cautioned of revisiting its duty-free quota for Bangladesh if poor and unsafe workplace is not abolished in the country for workers.EU’s trade commissioner, Cecilia Malmstr?m, made the disclosure at a conference titled “Remembering Rana Plaza: What Next” at the European Parliament in Brussels on Friday.
Source: https://www.observerbd.com/2015/04/25/85493.php
