11 Years After Rana Plaza Tragedy, Calls for Justice and Accountability Persist

On the 11th anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, which claimed the lives of 1,134 garment workers and left thousands injured on April 24, 2013, survivors and labor rights activists are renewing their demands for justice, compensation, and improved working conditions in the garment industry.

Commemorating the somber occasion, survivors, relatives of the victims, and labor organizations gathered at the site of the tragedy in Savar to remember those lost and press for their long-standing demands. These include revealing the identities of all perpetrators and ensuring maximum punishment, providing adequate compensation to the victims and their families, and implementing comprehensive reforms to prevent such disasters from occurring again.

Ruby Begum, who lost her two sons in the collapse, and Monir Hossain, who was trapped under the rubble for three days, shared their heart-wrenching stories and the ongoing struggles they face. Many survivors have not received proper compensation and continue to live in miserable conditions, grappling with the physical and emotional scars left by the incident.

Why this matters: The Rana Plaza disaster remains a grim reminder of the human cost of fast fashion and the urgent need for accountability in global supply chains. As the world's attention turns to this anniversary, it underscores the importance of sustained efforts to protect workers' rights and ensure that the lives lost were not in vain.

Labor leaders expressed disappointment at the lack of progress in meeting their demands over the past 11 years. Despite annual discussions and meetings, the government has failed to provide adequate compensation or complete the trial of those responsible. The criminal cases and labor court cases related to the disaster have stalled due to various issues, including witness production failure and absconding accused.

While some improvements in worker safety have been made in the Bangladesh garment industry since the tragedy, labor activists argue that more needs to be done to protect workers' rights and prevent future disasters. The European Parliament's recent approval of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) is seen as a step towards holding fashion brands accountable for their supply chains, but concerns remain about its effectiveness in ensuring justice for workers.

As the Rana Plaza disaster's legal proceedings continue to drag on without delivering justice or meaningful compensation to the victims, survivors and labor rights advocates are determined to keep fighting. Kalpona Akter, executive director of the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity, emphasized the need for swift action: "We cannot let another year pass without justice for the Rana Plaza victims and their families. The government and the global fashion industry must be held accountable for their failures and take concrete steps to protect garment workers' lives and rights."

Key Takeaways

• 1,134 garment workers died in 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh.
• Survivors and activists demand justice, compensation, and improved working conditions.
• Lack of progress in meeting demands over 11 years; legal cases have stalled.
• Some worker safety improvements, but more needed to protect workers' rights.
• Survivors and advocates vow to continue fighting for justice and accountability.