Garment federations demand cancelling bail of Rana Plaza owner

The Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation (SGSF) and Bangladesh Federation of Workers Solidarity (BFWS) have demanded exemplary punishment for all the accused in the case, including cancelling bail to Rana Plaza owner Sohail Rana.

The leaders of the two organizations made this demand in a rally and protest march in front of the National Press Club in the capital on Sunday.

Nazma Akhter, president of SGSF, said: “1,138 workers lost their lives in the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Savar in 2013, according to the government, while 2,500 injured workers were rescued.” 

“Thousands of workers are living an inhumane life due to injuries. Among them, at least 1,000 workers are living with disability. With the passage of time, the picture of suffering, misery and inhumane life of these workers is becoming erased from everyone's memories,” she added.

Nazma said: “The government filed three cases under different laws against building owner Sohail Rana and five garment owners, which have not been addressed in the last 10 years. Among these, all other accused in the case except Sohel Rana are on bail.”

“A few days ago, when Sohail Rana was granted bail, the people of Bangladesh protested against it. Although Sohail Rana was not released by the decision of the High Court, his bail hearing will be held tomorrow (Monday). I strongly demand from this rally that Sohail Rana's bail is not granted,” she added.

BFWS President Ruhul Amin said: “All the accused in the case, including the owner of Rana Plaza, Sohel Rana, should be given maximum punishment. Proper treatment, employment and rehabilitation of Rana Plaza injured workers should be arranged.”

The demands of the two organizations are - Rana Plaza owner Sohel Rana and all the accused in the case should be given maximum punishment; not to grant bail to Sohail Rana in the hearing on May 8 and to arrange for proper treatment, employment and rehabilitation of the injured Rana Plaza workers; the education of the children of the workers killed and injured in the Rana Plaza accident should be arranged; minimum wage should be Tk23,000; workers should be covered by accident insurance at work; and social security of workers should be ensured.

Chaired by Nazma Akhter, the rally was attended by central leader of the organizations and workers including executive committee members of 40 unions of different areas.