Rana Plaza survivors allege misuse of foreign funds, seek compensation

Survivors of the 2013 Rana Plaza building collapse on Thursday (29 January) alleged that funds collected abroad in the name of affected workers are not reaching the actual victims, while many survivors and families of the deceased continue to live in extreme hardship even 13 years after the tragedy.

They made the allegation at a press conference organised by the Rana Plaza Survivors Association in the capital.

The association demanded full compensation, long-term rehabilitation and transparency in the management of foreign donation collected for Rana Plaza victims.

Speaking at the event, Mahmudul Hasan Hridoy, president of the association, said thousands of injured workers are still suffering from permanent disabilities, psychological trauma and unemployment while many families of those who died have yet to receive fair compensation.

"Rana Plaza survivors are not asking for charity. We are demanding our rightful, constitutional and humanitarian rights," he said while reading out a written statement on behalf of the association.

The association expressed serious concern that funds are being raised overseas using the names of Rana Plaza victims without any transparent or survivor-led mechanism, alleging that the real victims are being deprived of the benefits.

Money is being collected abroad in the name of Rana Plaza victims, but the actual survivors are not receiving anything, and this is a grave injustice to workers who have already suffered beyond measure, the statement said.

The association demanded an immediate suspension of all foreign fundraising activities until a transparent, accountable and survivor-centric system is put in place.

The speakers also condemned what they described as a false and harassing case filed against labour leader Yasmin Chowdhury, calling it an attempt to silence the workers' movement.

They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the case.

In an emotional address, Hridoy, himself a Rana Plaza survivor, said he had faced repeated attacks for speaking out in favour of justice and compensation for victims.

"I was attacked and seriously injured for raising my voice. Are demanding compensation and rehabilitation for Rana Plaza victims a crime?" he asked.

Recalling the day of the collapse, Hridoy said workers were forced to enter the building despite visible cracks, and many survivors still carry painful memories of the incident, which continue to affect their mental health and daily lives.

He alleged that although reports claim hundreds of crores of taka were collected in the name of Rana Plaza victims, many survivors have received little or no support.

General Secretary of the association Saddam Hossain, who lost a hand in the collapse, said many injured workers are now struggling to survive due to the lack of long-term support.

"Some injured workers have been forced into begging. There has been no sustainable initiative for their rehabilitation," he alleged.

Another survivor, Wahidur Rahman, said the trauma of the collapse still haunts many survivors, leaving them fearful and unable to sleep properly.

He claimed he received only Tk 50,000 as compensation and said he remains unaware of the status of a reported Tk 127 crore fund meant for Rana Plaza victims.

Rana Plaza Survivors Association placed a six-point demand including full transparency in foreign fundraising, fair compensation for all survivors and families of the deceased, long-term medical care and rehabilitation, public disclosure and investigation of collected funds, withdrawal of the case against Yasmin Chowdhury, and direct involvement of survivors in fund management and rehabilitation programmes.

The association urged the government, authorities concerned and the international community to take immediate and effective action and called on the media to continue highlighting the ongoing struggle of Rana Plaza survivors.

"Thirteen years have passed but our fight for justice is far from over," the speakers said.