DHAKA: Readymade garment workers have rejected the proposed compensation scheme and demanded Tk 28 lakh as compensation for death and Tk 5 lakh for those injured in the Rana Plaza collapse.

National Garment Workers’ Federation announced its demand on Tuesday at the National Press Club where they formed a human chain.
 
The President of the federation Amirul Haque Amin said the compensation committee recommended Tk 14.5 lakhs for each victim of the Rana Palza tragedy. But the victims’ family is entitled to double the amount considering the “loss of its earning member.”
 
The workers’ organizations in the country and abroad along with global labor rights related bodies demanded a handsome compensation for victims based on “Loss of earning” factor.
 
Spectrum, Garib and Garib, Hamim, Eurotex and Smart Garments paid compensation based on this method but the committee formed after the Rana Plaza collapse ignored this principle.

The garment workers also urged government, buyers, BGMEA and factory owners to come forward to compensate the victims and their family so that they can fight back in life.
 
The central leader of Bangladesh Garments Workers Unity Council Dr Wajedul Islam Khan, convener of Worker Safety Forum Dr Hamida Hossain, President of the United Garment Workers Federation Nazma Akhter and other workers’ leaders as well as Rana Plaza collapse injured were also present in the human chain to meet their demand and establish the right of the garment workers.
 
They also urged the government to announce its policy, particularly details of the compensation package.
 
On April 24, 2013, 1138 lost their lives and 1500 were critically injured in the Rana Plaza collapse.

BDST: 1620 HRS, FEB 04, 2014