WIREDGOV

The Rana Plaza textile factory collapse was the worst industrial disaster in Bangladesh’s history. The TUC believes the tragedy was caused by workers not having a voice at work, as staff were too afraid to speak up about safety concerns despite cracks being visible on the building.

Following the disaster, international trade unions created a historic agreement on factory safety called the Accord, which has now been signed by more than 150 companies that employ factory workers. The Accord ensures that 1,619 factories in Bangladesh have safety inspections and work with unions to correct safety hazards.

However the TUC is concerned that many UK companies who use suppliers from Bangladesh are yet to pay into the Rana Plaza Trust Fund which was established for the victims of the collapse and their families. The target was to raise £24m but 12 months on from the disaster, £14.9 million is still outstanding.

The TUC also fears that problems with Bangladesh labour law mean that workers are still facing significant repression. The UK government must lobby the Bangladesh government to allow freedom of association so workers can join unions, take collective action and voice concerns about health and safety without fear of reprisals.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The appalling loss of life in the Rana Plaza disaster proved that Bangladesh had a long way to go to tackle the textile industry’s terrible record on health and safety and workers’ rights.

“It’s important that the Accord has now been signed by over 150 companies and trade unions in Bangladesh are finally being involved in making factories safer. But it is shameful that many of our companies sourcing from Rana Plaza have still not paid into the fund to help victims and their families.

“Every company using suppliers from Bangladesh should donate an appropriate sum to the fund so that, one year on from this horrific event, workers and their families can finally start to rebuild their lives.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- A vigil organised by Labour Behind the Label is being held for the victims of the Rana Plaza collapse at 1pm today (Thursday). Please contact Sam Maher for more information on 07517516943 or email sam@labourbehindthelabel.org

- The TUC’s letter to Secretary of State for International Development Justine Greening, calling for pressure on UK companies to pay into the Rana Plaza Fund, can be found at www.tuc.org.uk/international-issues/labour-standards/multinationals/tuc-l etter-dfid-rana-plaza-compensation

- A full list of companies that have contributed to the Rana Plaza Trust Fund can be found at www.ranaplaza-arrangement.org/fund/donors and a full list of companies that have signed the Accord can be found atwww.bangladeshaccord.org/signatories/

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

Contacts:

Media enquiries:

Liz Chinchen   T: 020 7467 1248    M: 07778 158175    E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth    T: 020 7467 1372    M: 07717 531150     E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk