Photo exhibition marking 11 years of the Rana Plaza tragedy

A photo exhibition has been inaugurated commemorating the 11th anniversary of the Rana Plaza tragedy.

Bangladesh Garment Sramik Sanghoti organized the two-day event in front of the ruins of Rana Plaza in Savar on Tuesday (April 23) morning. The event was inaugurated by Jasmin Akhter, an injured laborer who was trapped inside the rubble.

General Secretary of Garment Workers Solidarity Babul Hossain, Vice-President of Garment Workers Trade Union Center Bir Muktijoddha Eng. Ruhul Amin, President of Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation Rafiqul Islam Sujan, central member of Garment Workers Solidarity Shamim Hossain among others were present at the opening ceremony.

Jasmin Akhter said in the opening speech that even though 11 years have passed since the tragic accident, the responsible persons have not been prosecuted yet. "We want the highest punishment for the offenders. At the same time, we want proper compensation. I demand that no one can create the death trap of thousands of people in this way."

Rahela Begum, mother of another slain worker, Fazle Rabbi, said that Rana Plaza was built without following the rules. If this building was built according to the rules, so many people would not have died.

Shahida Akhtar's mother Tahera Begum, who recovered her daughter's body after 18 days of the incident, said many people died here. Some bodies were found, some were not. Where did this body go?

She demanded justice for this "murder."

Taslima Akhtar of Garment Workers' Solidarity said that even in 11 years, the trial process of killing 1,175 people has not been expedited.

"Apart from Sohel Rana, the owner of the building, other accused are out of jail on bail. Sohel Rana also got bail last year. However, his bail was later suspended by the High Court. This slow pace of justice is an attempt by the government and the state to patronize and save the guilty parties."

She also said that in a state where there is no opportunity for democratic practice, there is no opportunity for the people to express their opinions, and there is no other way for the affected workers of Rana Plaza to suffer more. There is no way but to unite to ensure the maximum punishment for the guilty.

Meanwhile, other speakers said that the legal compensation or grant given to the families of the dead and injured 11 years ago is never honorable or dignified. The changes in the law of compensation in the labor law are very insignificant. The increase from Tk1.5 lakh to Tk2 lakh or Tk2.5 lakh is an example of not treating any worker as a human being.

The exhibition features work by a total of four photographers and paintings by seven children of garment workers while 20 workers, who were alive then, were featured in the photographs.