Injured workers, families of the victims, and leaders and activists of various labour organisations paid tribute to victims of the Rana Plaza collapse by laying flowers in Savar, Dhaka.
The homage was offered on Friday morning at a temporary memorial built on the site of the disaster.
Earlier, leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation brought out a procession, demanding exemplary punishment for those responsible, as well as compensation and medical care for the victims and injured workers. They later placed flowers at the memorial.
Alongside labour organisations, the industrial police also paid their respects. During the program, leaders and activists from different groups reiterated a set of longstanding demands.
Khairul Mamun Mintu, legal affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Garment and Sweaters Workers Trade Union Centre, said compensation for the victims and injured has yet to be ensured. He added that many injured workers are still struggling to access treatment. Referring to International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 121, he said compensation must be guaranteed and those responsible must face justice.
Arbindu Byapari Bindu, president of the Revolutionary Garments Workers Federation, said that even after 13 years, justice remains elusive.
“The previous government had promised justice, but it was not delivered,” he said, urging the current BNP-led government to meet the workers’ legitimate demands.
On this day in 2013, the Rana Plaza building collapsed near Savar bus stand, killing 1,135 people and injuring many others.
