Are we not humans? Tazrin Fashions fire victims ask

The Tazrin Fashions Fire victims have continued to protest in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka for 29 days to voice their three-point demand. 

The demand include compensation for the injured at the fire incident, their rehabilitations and above all effective treatment.   

But no one from Tazrin Fashions or the government showed up to sympathise with the labourers, let alone assuring them of help.  

So the 45 protesters asked if the authorities valued them as human beings.

While visiting the spot, it was found that some of them were suffering from injuries in bones and backbones. And some failed to keep their jobs due to physical complications.

Female labour leader Zarina Begum told The Business Standard that they had submitted three memoranda to the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Labour, Bangabhaban and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association. But there has been no response yet. 

"We are here for so many days. But no representative from the government or Tazrin Fashions came to listen to us. However, we will continue demonstrations until our demand are met," Zarina said.

Another injured worker Rehena Akter said four of her family members succumbed to burn injuries at the factory fire and she is the only one who survived.

"The way I am running my life is no longer worth living. I have lost my hands. My backbone and shoulder bone broke. And I cannot even prepare my food," Rehena said.

Another victim Sumi Akter said, "My kids had to drop out of school. I demand compensation from the government in no time."

Sayeda Akter, another protester, said: "We are sitting down here, under the rain and hot sun, for the past 29 days."

"Our lives are in danger. Does it not move the government?" she asked.

Afroza Begum, another victim, complained that the government was yet to provide them with anything. "We have been harassed one way or the other, and now we are compelled to take protest to the streets." 

In the first week of the protest, a group of labourers happened to see Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Labor Akhtarul Islam and Shahabuddin Ahmed, assistant private secretary of the state minister for labour, sources said.

Asked about it, Akhtarful said: "We have heard about their demand. As the issue of compensation depends on the inspection of the factories, we asked the protesters to contact the inspector concerned."  

On 24 November 2012, a devastating fire at Tazrin Fashions on the outskirts of the city left 111 workers dead and scores injured.