Half of survivors still jobless

Around 48 per cent of Rana Plaza tragedy survivors are yet to return to their work due to physical or mental problems even nearly three years after the industrial tragedy took place, according to a survey report.
About 59 per cent of the workers who survived the accident have been suffering from long-term mental trauma, said the ActionAid’s report on “Rana Plaza Driving RMG Sector: Critical Reflection”.
ActionAid, an international non-governmental organisation, whose primary aim is to work against poverty and injustice worldwide, unveiled the report yesterday at BRAC Centre Inn.
The survey is based on interaction with 1,300 people who once worked in Rana Plaza garment factories and on 500 families that lost their members in the building collapse.
The report also said that 79 of the Rana Plaza tragedy survivors want to set up their own businesses. Only 5 per cent of them are interested in going back to garment sector.
Rafique Khan, a worker in Ether Text Garments in Rana Plaza, said: “I got treatment through government assistance but I could not get well fully. I have to continue my treatment with my own money.”
“I have a small shop now, with which I try to run my family. I don’t want to go back to the garment sector anymore,” he said.
The report said the victims who survived the building collapse could not utilise the money they got as compensation. They received the money in phases. Their physical and mental condition was also not duly considered while giving the compensation.
Dr Hameeda Hossain, chairperson of Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), said “The amount the victim workers received cannot be termed as compensation. The workers who have been suffering from mental and physical problems need long-term assistance.”
Khandaker Golam Moazzem, a research director of another think tank, the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said that many of the survivors who have been receiving treatment in different places must be reached and assisted.
However, ActionAid findings also shows unemployment rate has decreased in the last three years with an steady rise in the employment.

Half of survivors still jobless

Around 48 per cent of Rana Plaza tragedy survivors are yet to return to their work due to physical or mental problems even nearly three years after the industrial tragedy took place, according to a survey report. About 59 per cent of the workers who survived the accident have been suffering from long-term mental trauma, said the ActionAids report on Rana Plaza Driving RMG Sector: Critical Reflection. ActionAid, an international non-governmental organisation, whose primary aim is to work against poverty and injustice worldwide, unveiled the report yesterday at BRAC Centre Inn. The survey is based on interaction with 1,300 people who once worked in Rana Plaza garment factories and on 500 families that lost their members in the building collapse. The report also said that 79 of the Rana Plaza tragedy survivors want to set up their own businesses. Only 5 per cent of them are interested in going back to garment sector. Rafique Khan, a worker in Ether Text Garments in Rana Plaza, said: I got treatment through government assistance but I could not get well fully. I have to continue my treatment with my own money. I have a small shop now, with which I try to run my family. I dont want to go back to the garment sector anymore, he said. The report said the victims who survived the building collapse could not utilise the money they got as compensation. They received the money in phases. Their physical and mental condition was also not duly considered while giving the compensation. Dr Hameeda Hossain, chairperson of Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), said The amount the victim workers received cannot be termed as compensation. The workers who have been suffering from mental and physical problems need long-term assistance. Khandaker Golam Moazzem, a research director of another think tank, the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said that many of the survivors who have been receiving treatment in different places must be reached and assisted. However, ActionAid findings also shows unemployment rate has decreased in the last three years with an steady rise in the employment.