The government and the BGMEA alleged that a group of conspirators were trying to destroy the country’s garment industry capitalising on the Rana Plaza collapse.
“Those who are carrying out such conspiracy againstthe export-oriented industry are doing it only for their personal interests. Do they think who will lose from this? A lot of garment industries will be closed and millions of workers will lose their jobs,” prime minister’s Special Assistant for media Mahbubul Haque Shakil said at a briefing yesterday.
BGMEA President Atiqul Islam alleged that some NGOs and labour bodies planned to demonstrate today in different parts of the world, especially in developed countries, to discourage foreigners from using Bangladeshi apparels.
“Some national and international NGOs and labour organisations are propagating to destroy our garment industry,” the leader of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association said.
Both Shakil and Atiqul sought cooperation of the media in helping out the garment sector. They also gave assurance that the treatment of the injured Rana Plaza workers would continue.
Issuinga note of warning against the vested interests, Shakil said if anyone was found guilty of spreading propagandas against the country’s garment sector, they would be brought to book.
“The garment industry is our national asset and it is our duty to save it,” he said.
Referring to the government efforts, rescue operation and financial assistance to the victims along with their treatment, he said: “Necessary measures will be taken to avoid such incidents in future.”
Asked about alleged mismanagement of the PM’s relief and welfare fund, he said the fund had been maintained with highest transparency and accountability.
Shakil said 2,438 people had been rescued alive from the Rana Plaza debris and 1,117dead bodies had been recovered. Eighteen more people later died in different hospitals while undergoing treatment. The government handed over 844 dead bodies to their families and buried 291 dead bodies at Jurain graveyard after collecting their DNA samples.
The PMO official said Savar police had filed a case against the Rana Plaza owner and arrested the accused. “Besides, 11 cases have been filed under the labour law. Investigation into these cases are at the final stage and the chargesheets will be submitted soon.”
The Prime Minister’s Office organised the briefing to inform the media about the steps taken by the government and other agencies after the Rana Plaza tragedy.
