Experts at a dialogue here on Sunday stressed the need for a greater coordination among all the stakeholders to provide long-term support to the victims and the family members of the deceased workers of Rana Plaza.
They said a concerted effort by all the stakeholders is urgently needed to rehabilitate and reintegrate the Rana Plaza victims still suffering from physical ailment and mental trauma.
ActionAid Bangladesh organised the dialogue, titled ‘Remembering the Toiling Workers of Rana Plaza’ at BRAC Center Inn, in the capital a day before the first anniversary of Rana Plaza tragedy.
ILO, Bangladesh Country Office Director Baki Srinivasa Reddy, member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Labour and employment Shirin Akhter, MP, director general of Fire Services and Civil Defense Directorate Brig Gen Ali Ahmed Khan, general secretary of Industry All Bangladesh Council Roy Ramesh Chandra and executive commissioner of Plaza Arrangement Coordination Committee Dr Mojtaba Kazazi, among others, spoke at the dialogue moderated by ActionAid country director Farah Kabir.
The findings of a survey conducted by ActionAid Bangladesh covering 1,436 survivors and 786 family members of the deceased workers of Rana Plaza tragedy was shared at the dialogue.
The survey reveals that even after a year of Rana Plaza tragedy, still 73.7 percent of workers have not returned to work due to physical ailment and psychological trauma.
Over 63 percent of the respondents could not return to work due to physical ailment while over 23 percent due to trauma.
The report shows that about 76 percent of workers are still regularly visiting doctors for follow-up treatment. The physical condition of 9 percent of those taking treatment are still deteriorating.
“Everyone is talking about financial support for the affected people of Rana Plaza, but there’re still a large number of workers living with trauma and they need psychological counseling,” said ILO Bangladesh office chief Srinavasa Reddy.
Shirin Akhter urged all the key stakeholders to draw up an action plan immediately to create a safer platform for the children at great risks in terms of uncertain future following the Rana Plaza tragedy.
Source: UNBConnect
