Struggle continues for Tazreen Fashions fire victims

The victim workers of Tazreen Fashions factory fire have continued to protest in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka to press home their three-point charter of demands.

 They have been staging demonstrations for more than two months.

The demands include compensation for the injured at the fire incident including instituting an amendment to a section of the Labour Act, their rehabilitations and long-term medical treatment.

 Shahidul Islam Sabuj, the convener of the movement, said, "Since the fire broke out in 2012, the injured and crippled workers have not received any compensation as per the country's labour law or ILO Convention except some grants or financial assistance from various domestic and foreign organisations."

 Many have become crippled and paralyzed permanently and lost their ability to work. But unfortunately, no effective initiative has yet been taken by the government to address their problems, he added. 

 On 24 November 2012, a devastating fire at Tazreen Fashions factory in Ashulia on the outskirts of the capital left 114 workers dead and more than 300 injured, he recalled. 

 Mosrefa Mishu, president of the Garment Workers Oikya Forum, said, neither the government nor the BGMEA paid attention to the workers' demands in these eight years.

 "The situation is such that being born as a worker is a curse in this country," she continued.   

The workers are helpless due to huge reluctance towards them, she said adding, if they were influential, there would not be so much delay in meeting their demands. 

"In this circumstance, we need to wage a tougher movement with the unity of all," Mishu said.   

"The workers who have lost their ability to work might be able to return to their normal life if long-term treatment is provided," she hoped.  

Meanwhile, many organisations from different platforms expressed solidarity with the agitating workers on Friday.