For many of the survivors of Rana Plaza the physical wounds are beginning to heal, but the lasting impact is just beginning to be felt.
18 months after the collapse of Rana Plaza, Clean Clothes Campaign has been meeting survivors and families of victims in Bangladesh and has been shocked and deeply saddened by the number of people who are now unable to find work or rebuild their lives.
“Factory owners are turning people who worked in Rana Plaza away as they are deemed too ‘damaged’ and too much of a risk,” says Samantha Maher, of Clean Clothes Campaign, who has been in Bangladesh this month, “it is shocking to see how defeated so many of them are, especially when compared with other workers we met.”
In the aftermath of the terrible collapse in April 2013, much has been done to prevent another disaster and for many garment workers who were not working in one of the five factories in Rana Plaza the safety measures now being introduced through the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Safety offer the hope of a better future in the industry.
However, for more than 2,000 women and men who survived the collapse vital compensation payments have not been as forthcoming. 18 months after that terrible day the compensation fund still needs almost US$20 million and leading clothing brand Benetton, who was sourcing from the building, have failed to make even an initial payment into the Trust Fund.
The significance of this lack of full payment can be felt most keenly when talking to the young women who were supporting their whole families by working in Rana Plaza. Now alongside the physical and emotional damages suffered on that fateful day they have the added burden of no financial security.
Women like 18 year old Mahinu Akter, who just two days before the collapse of Rana Plaza, became the sole earner in her family when her father was killed in a bus accident. Mahinu, had been working in a factory at Rana Plaza since she was 14, to help support her mother and two brothers.
Mahinu sustained head injuries, and lost a toe in the collapse. She spent 20 days in hospital. Once she was released she was in bed for a month and couldn’t eat. Even now she struggles to eat and has lost her appetite. She still also suffers from pains in her feet, swollen legs, memory loss and constant headaches.
The fact that the Rana Plaza Donor Trust Fund has only been able to provide 40% of the compensation payments due to Mahinu and others like her – due to big brands not paying what they owe – means that being able to make long term plans are impossible.
“In many cases the fact that full compensation cannot be made is having a serious impact on the usefulness of these payments. Receiving money in small amounts means that for people already living in dire financial straits they have no choice but to use it for daily life, instead of saving it or investing in a new business or land to ensure they will manage in the long run,” adds Ms. Maher.
Mahinu received some business training whilst she was in hospital from the Centre of Rehabilitation of the Paralysed, and 7,000 taka (US$90) to buy stock for a small shop, but to be able to start this she had to take a small loan out to buy a fridge and set up the shop. Whilst it has enabled her to earn some money for the family, it is clear that charitable support is not a substitution for the full and fair compensation she and the other survivors are entitled to. To date Mahinu, has received just 40% of the compensation it is calculated is owed to her, which has not allowed her to plan for the future.
Benetton said in the aftermath of the collapse that it was committed to “working directly with those affected by the Rana Plaza disaster” however by failing to commit to the ILO managed Rana Plaza Donor Trust Fund, they have failed the women and men they relied on to make their profits.
