Rehabilitation, justice still elusive

Even though 11 years have passed since the Rana Plaza collapse in Savar, the workers have not yet received any rehabilitation or justice.

The injured workers are still seeking rehabilitation and fair justice after almost an era.

On April 24, 2013, the 8-storey building named Rana Plaza, adjacent to the Savar bus stand had collapsed. That incident resulted the largest worker casualty in the country's history. Thousands of workers got stuck under the rubble there. 1,136 dead bodies were recovered from the collapsed building. Rescuers managed to rescue 2,438 people. Many of the workers received injuries and became crippled.

It was known that cracks appeared in the pillars and walls at third floor of the building on April 23, 2013. On information, officials of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) visited Rana Plaza and advised the factory owner to check the building by BUET’s building experts. However, avoiding the suggestions, the garment factory owners forced the workers to continue their tasks at the risky building on April 24. Ultimately the tragedy took place on that day.

Three cases were filed following the building collapse. The police filed a case on charge of negligence of duty in the death of the workers. Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) filed another case bringing allegation of rule violation of building construction act. The Anti-Corruption Commission or ACC filed additional case on charge of corruption related to building construction.

The trial process of all these cases is going on in slow mood.

On the other hand, many workers are fighting for their survival after becoming crippled due to the tragedy. The workers complained that no one came forward to rehabilitate the injured despite living with sickness and poverty for a long time.