Dr Muhammad Yunus’s recent article brought a ray of light to the depressing state of affairs in the history of our nation.
It coincided with the verdict on Kamaruzzaman, one of the accused of War Crimes during the Liberation struggle of 1971. The trial is a partial closure for the atrocities endured by the nation at the hands of so-called countrymen from the western wing of the same country and their compatriots. We ought to have been able to conduct the trials of the Pakistani Officers but that right was forfeited at the time of Liberation.
I feel that this trial and, more specifically, the verdict will be a good indicator to the forces at play in the country who are trying to take us back to the Middle Ages. The only way to fight them is through education, health services, and safe employment without exploitation.
Dr Yunus and Sir Fazle Abed are the pride of our nation when it comes to poverty alleviation. We will give them their due. Dr Yunus has given much thought to the treatment and working environment of our garment workers and has put forward an inspired proposal, which, if implemented, can be a win-win solution for the garment business in Bangladesh.
I recommend that everyone reads his article, for I am positive it will receive world-wide acclaim because of the visionary solution that he has proposed, but the gist of it is the formation of a Garment Workers Welfare Trust, the funding will come from the consumers in the countries where Bangladeshi garments are sold, and the trust could be managed by Grameen or Brac or even jointly. In Grameen and Brac we trust.
There is nothing new in the exploitation of workers, here or in the world. But slavery has been abolished hundreds of years ago and trade unions have been set up to fight for workers’ rights. How is it possible that our garment workers were denied this fundamental right to protect the interests of the garment owners?
Why have there been so many fires in factories where the workers were trapped and burnt to death? Tazreen was the most despicable among the fires, yet to this day, the owner has not been arrested, nor have the workers received compensation.
How can we watch the gruesome news at Rana Plaza day in and day out and just wait to see justice done? Why do we have to hear from some garment owners about how well their workers are treated?
One bad apple is sufficient to start the rot. And in the case of garment owners, the good apples are the exception. It’s time for the exceptions to lead.
How can we be happy if our workers are suffering, be it in the factories, or in the home?
How can we justify the disparity between us and our workers, simply by virtue of birth?
How can we justify spending obscene amounts of money on unnecessary objects when the money can be put to good use?
Why do we assuage our conscience by telling ourselves that we are doing our share, when we are only giving a small percent of what we spend on non-essential items?
We rarely make sacrifices for the poor, nor do we deprive ourselves of gratification for a just cause.
We have to change our mindset, for our own good, and the good of the nation.
We have dedicated and selfless people among us who have worked tirelessly for the betterment of the less fortunate. We have institutions that are highly regarded at home and abroad.
At this moment of crisis in the garment sector we have been presented a carefully thought–out solution by Dr Yunus, which is extremely practical and beneficial to all parties concerned. I cannot see any conceivable reason why the process of implementation should not be taken up with immediate effect. It is time to see how many of us will stand up and be counted.
Shahana Khan is an architect turned social worker and is involved with UTSHO, a school for underprivileged urban street children.
