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