12 years after Rana Plaza collapse: candlelight tribute for victims

Through candle lighting, the family members of the workers and leaders from various labor organizations remembered the workers who lost their lives in the Rana Plaza tragedy.

This candle lighting ceremony took place at a temporary altar in front of the Rana Plaza in Savar on Wednesday evening (April 23). Earlier in the afternoon, workers held a protest rally.

During the event, they called for the declaration of a mourning day for the garment industry, the construction of a memorial at the Rana Plaza site, full compensation for the affected workers, and other demands to honor the victims.

At this time, Khairul Mamun Mintu, Legal Secretary of the Bangladesh Garments and Sweaters Workers' Trade Union, said, "Even after 12 years, compensation has not been ensured. This should not be called an accident; it was a murder. All affected individuals need support, rehabilitation, and long-term medical treatment for the injured."

Rafiqul Islam Sujon, Central President of the Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation, said, "After the workers were injured, they wandered door-to-door for treatment. They still have not received compensation. Even after 12 years, we have not seen justice for those involved in the Rana Plaza incident. We demand justice and compensation from the interim government."

Advocate Mahbub Alam Ismail, President of the Bangladesh Textile-Garments Workers Federation, said, "The land and assets of Rana Plaza should be confiscated to rehabilitate the injured workers and the families of the deceased, provide proper medical treatment to the injured, and ensure the harshest punishment for those responsible, including Sohel Rana. April 24 should be declared a National Mourning Day."

Members of various labor organizations, including the Bangladesh Garments Workers Unity Federation, Combined Workers Federation, and the Rana Plaza Survivors Association, were also present at the event.