Rana Plaza collapse: Large portion of trial process will be completed by next anniversary, says labour secy

The interim government will ensure that a large part of the trial process regarding the Rana Plaza collapse will be completed by the devastating incident's next anniversary, Labour Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman said today (24 April).

"The most important thing at this moment is that this [Rana Plaza collapse] should be tried, which has not been done in 12 years. I am already taking measures so that when we observe this day next year, you will see that a large part of the trial will be completed," the secretary told reporters after paying tribute to the workers killed in the Rana Plaza tragedy in 2013 on this day by laying wreaths at a temporary altar built in front of Rana Plaza.

Shafiquzzaman also said the interim government will consider taking steps to rehabilitate the workers injured in the collapse.

"We will consider what can be done for the rehabilitation of the workers who were injured in the Rana Plaza collapse, and also how to fulfil their demands, as we have a trust fund," he said.

At this time, he also said, "I went to Jurain Graveyard today. There are about 250 unidentified bodies there. I laid a wreath there in the morning; this time today, we have come here for the first time on behalf of the government. After coming here, we are endorsing the demands of the workers.

"Today is the 12th anniversary since the Rana Plaza collapse. An era has passed. Even after this era, we have not been able to fully implement the rights of workers, the labour rights that are available at the international level," noted the labour secretary.

He said, "The Rana Plaza incident has shown the whole world that labour rights are not respected in Bangladesh, and the incidents that have happened because of it. Rana Plaza, this building, not only the one who built it, but also the ones who gave permission to it, and the government offices that are here, all were negligent.

"After this incident, when there was an uproar all over the world, our brand buyers came, Accord Alliance came, and what happened was that our factories, especially RMG factories, came into compliance."

The secretary also said that besides Rana Plaza, there have been many other incidents, and the government and the Ministry of Labour are working on these issues to ensure that they are completely closed.

He also said that on 28 April, the government will celebrate Decent Working Environment Day, where the chief adviser will be present.

"Our labour adviser has assured that we will introduce a package for the fair rights of the workers in the next year, and you will see how much progress is being made.

"Only if the rights of the workers are implemented will our country develop, and our economy grow. We will implement the demands and rights of the workers," he added.