Version imprimableA 9-storied building completely collapsed to ground and the garment workers inside the building were stuck. It caused a huge death toll and injuries. Until now the 297 dead bodies were found and more than 2 thousand injured and mutilated people were rescued with the help of army personnel, police, Rapid Action Battalion, fire brigade and local people. Nevertheless, an unknown number of people inside the debris and rubble of the collapsed building are calling over their cell phones and urging their nearest and dearest to save their lives. Unfortunately the rescue operation is going on slowly as they do not have modern technology of rescue. There is a blame that the people responsible to rescue task is not serious and the ordinary people dissatisfied took the responsibility on other own trying to find out the dead and survivors inside the wreckage.
The owner of the building called Rana plaza belongs to the ruling party, Awami League. The owner fled from the area at once.
In protest against the incident the garment workers in the city staged a demonstration and demanded punishment for those responsible. They also demanded proper security at work.
An incident like this is not something new. In 2005 in the same area the building of Spectrum Garments also collapsed and huge number of people died. However, the surprising is that the responsible never get punishment. So the incident is on the rise. Last year almost in the same area another fire incident in Tasreen Garments factory 111 garment workers were brutally burned. So far the guilty was not brought to book in proper way.
Bangladesh Krishok Federation is seriously concerned with the magnitude of the incident. It thinks it is not a normal thing that is taking place frequently. It is a failure of the system which does not care for the workers’ lives and livelihood. It says it is reported that the there was a big crack identified in the building just two days before the incident. Nevertheless, the owner of the building forced the workers to go into the building to work. This is a crime and the perpetrator should be brought to justice.
Bangladesh Krishok Federation(BKF) wants to stand by the victims materially. Although BKF is working among the peasantry of the country it will prioritize the issue because most of the victim workers, both men and women, hailed from the village. They have their rural back ground. They came to the town for job, for their very survival.
Therefore, BKF wants to go with relief and financial support for treatment to the victims and their families in solidarity.
As BKF is a subscription based organization working among the marginalized peasants of the country it is alone not capable to support the victims who need piratical material supports. Thus, we asked to our friends, well-wishers and sympathizers to contribute to our efforts in this regard. Any kind of support of you will be highly appreciated.
All the best regards,
Badrul Alam
President
Bangladesh Krishok Federation
BKS has a bank account in Australia
Financial solidarity can be sent directly to it:
Account Name:
Friends of BKF and BKS
BSB: 633 000
Account Number: 145 327 037
Bendigo Bank
Australia
International financial solidarity can be sent through the Europe solidaire sans frontières (ESSF) account, based in France. Please indicate “Bangladesh” on transfers.
Bank Account:
Crédit lyonnais
Agence de la Croix-de-Chavaux (00525)
10 boulevard Chanzy
93100 Montreuil
France
ESSF, account number 445757C
International bank account details :
IBAN : FR85 3000 2005 2500 0044 5757 C12
BIC / SWIFT : CRLYFRPP
Account holder : ESSF
To use Paypal please go to ESSF Bangladesh – Tragedy in garments sector: support needed.
