UNB, Savar :
Though three years have elapsed since the Tazreen Fashions fire, many survivors as well as families of the dead workers have not received proper compensation as pledged by the government and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
On the 3rd anniversary of the fire incident, which led to the death of at least 113 workers and injured over 300 workers, different labour bodies and the survivors on Tuesday demanded that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) step in to ensure the timely compensation of the victim workers and their families.
Hundreds of workers under the banner of different labour orgnasiations observed the day with various programmes.
They placed wreaths in front of the burnt structure of Tazreen Fashions in Nischintapur, Ashulia and offered Fateha seeking the eternal peace of the departed souls.
Later, they formed a human chain in front of the burnt factory building demanding compensation and punishment of its owner.
Speaking on the occasion, President of Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation Mohammad Ibrahim said, “Many of the victims are alleging they’re yet to get enough compensation, though three years have passed by.”
Rehana Begum, who used to work as an operator at the finishing department of the factory, badly injured her left leg in her attempt to escape the fire by jumping down from the building.
“After the fire incident, the BGMEA provided a support of one lakh taka for the treatment, but I had to spend the whole money on my treatment. The wound has not healed properly. Now it’s impossible for me to resume work… now I’m struggling to maintain my family, let alone to continue the treatment.”
Meanwhile, a multi-stakeholder trust, styled The Tazreen Claims Administration Trust (TCA Trust), has been set up to formally address payments to the victims of the 2012 Tazreen Fashions fire on account of their losses.
According to an initial agreement signed in 2014 by C&A, C&A Foundation, IndustriALL Global Union and the Clean Clothes Campaign, the TCA Trust will oversee the claims to support victims and their families, according to a message received from ILO.
All the families and dependents of the confirmed deceased and missing workers have been contacted and provided with pre-counseling advice. The TCA Trust started receiving their claims as of 5 October, 2015, it said.
It is expected that first payments to families of the deceased and missing workers will be made in January 2016 and the TCA Trust expects final disbursement by April 2016.
Though three years have elapsed since the Tazreen Fashions fire, many survivors as well as families of the dead workers have not received proper compensation as pledged by the government and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
On the 3rd anniversary of the fire incident, which led to the death of at least 113 workers and injured over 300 workers, different labour bodies and the survivors on Tuesday demanded that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) step in to ensure the timely compensation of the victim workers and their families.
Hundreds of workers under the banner of different labour orgnasiations observed the day with various programmes.
They placed wreaths in front of the burnt structure of Tazreen Fashions in Nischintapur, Ashulia and offered Fateha seeking the eternal peace of the departed souls.
Later, they formed a human chain in front of the burnt factory building demanding compensation and punishment of its owner.
Speaking on the occasion, President of Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation Mohammad Ibrahim said, “Many of the victims are alleging they’re yet to get enough compensation, though three years have passed by.”
Rehana Begum, who used to work as an operator at the finishing department of the factory, badly injured her left leg in her attempt to escape the fire by jumping down from the building.
“After the fire incident, the BGMEA provided a support of one lakh taka for the treatment, but I had to spend the whole money on my treatment. The wound has not healed properly. Now it’s impossible for me to resume work… now I’m struggling to maintain my family, let alone to continue the treatment.”
Meanwhile, a multi-stakeholder trust, styled The Tazreen Claims Administration Trust (TCA Trust), has been set up to formally address payments to the victims of the 2012 Tazreen Fashions fire on account of their losses.
According to an initial agreement signed in 2014 by C&A, C&A Foundation, IndustriALL Global Union and the Clean Clothes Campaign, the TCA Trust will oversee the claims to support victims and their families, according to a message received from ILO.
All the families and dependents of the confirmed deceased and missing workers have been contacted and provided with pre-counseling advice. The TCA Trust started receiving their claims as of 5 October, 2015, it said.
It is expected that first payments to families of the deceased and missing workers will be made in January 2016 and the TCA Trust expects final disbursement by April 2016.
