The BNP yesterday demanded that all the new industries should obtain clearance certificates before going into operations to ensure security and safety of workers.
“After Rana Plaza tragedy it has become important to ensure safety for readymade garment workers. We are demanding that a provision of obtaining all sorts of clearance certificates be made obligatory before an industry goes into operation,” Rafiqul Islam Miah, a Standing Committee member of the party, said.
He also said: “Congress members of the United States have called for ensuring the rights and safety of workers in Bangladesh and the BNP supported the call.”
Addressing a discussion at the National Press Club organised by the Medical Technologist Association, the BNP leader said thousands of workers became paralysed and many of them did not get any treatment.
“We came to know from different media reports that Tk128 crore was deposited in the government fund and the prime minister has distributed only Tk22 crore among the victims as compensation. Where has the rest of the money gone?”
Rafiqul said they were not bringing any allegation of misappropriation, but if the compensation had been disbursed properly, the victims would not have to cry over compensation.
Criticising the government, the lawyer said there was no democracy in the country and there was no existence of an opposition party in parliament.
“Even General Ershad who was directly involved in the killing of General Monjur has been made a special envoy to the prime minister.
If such a person gets the government’s patronisation, then where is the rule of law?” he said.
