Several associations of the garment workers marked the first anniversary of Rana Plaza tragedy on Thursday demanding that the victims and their families get adequate compensations.
They also demanded punishment to those responsible for the disaster, one of the world’s worst that killed 1,135 people and left many injured at Savar on April 24 last year.
The demands came at different programmes marking the tragedy.
Garment Sramik Trade Union Kendra demanded compensation for all RMG workers of the Rana Plaza and exemplary punishment to those responsible for killing the workers.
The association held a rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the capital to press for the demands. Its president Mantu Ghosh presided over the rally addressed by its adviser Manzurul Ahsan Khan, worker leaders Sadekur Rahman Shamim, Kazi Ruhul Amin and Sheuly Akter.
Relatives of Rana Plaza tragedy victims took part in the rally, said a press release.
Monzurul Ahsan said one year on the victims have not been given compensations, families of the dead and maimed workers were not rehabilitated.
He alleged that there is no significant progress in the trial proceedings for those responsible for the disaster. Earlier in the morning, a team of the association led by its president placed wreath at graves Rana Plaza victims in Jurain graveyard.
Another team led by its general secretary Ruhul Amin placed wreath at Rana Plaza Monument in Savar.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh OSK Garments and Textile Workers Federation placed wreath at Rana Plaza monument at Savar at 7am and observed one-minute silence.
The federation also held a rally there with its vice president Mahbubul Alam Manik in the chair.
General Secretary of Bangladesh Trade Union Sanga and Bangladesh Noujan Sramik Federation Ashikul Alam Chowdhury, President of Bangladesh Trade Union Sanga Khalilur Rahman Khan, worker leaders Dulal and Iqbal Hossain, among others addressed the rally.
Demanding punishment of those responsible for the tragedy, they urged the government to declare April 24 as a national mourning day.
In observance of the day, many other trade unions held programmes and placed wreaths at the Rana Plaza Monument and the graves of the victims at Jurain on the city’s outskirt.
