Over 42pc Rana Plaza survivors still jobless: survey

Over 42 percent of the survivors of the Rana Plaza building collapse are still unemployed because of physical and mental weaknesses even after four years of the industrial disaster, according to a survey.

Of the total unemployed, 48.1 percent are physically weak and 33.4 percent psychologically, according to the survey by ActionAid Bangladesh.

The country office of the international non-governmental organisation released the outcomes of the survey—Unforgettable and unforgivable: Rana Plaza—at an event at Brac Centre Inn yesterday.

More than 1,135 workers were killed and nearly 2,400 injured in the country's deadliest industrial disaster when the Rana Plaza building in Savar caved in on April 24, 2013. The ActionAid survey was conducted on 1,403 survivors and the relatives of 607 deceased.

Around 4.8 percent of the survivors earn less than the minimum wage of the garment sector, now standing at Tk 5,300 a month.

The situation has improved significantly since 2015 when 76 percent earned less than Tk 5,300, according to the report. 

Average monthly expenditure for the survivors is Tk 10,560 with the major costs incurring for food, followed by house rent, children's education and treatment.

Some 42 percent of the survivors, who have returned to work, have an average monthly income between Tk 5,301 and Tk 10,301 while 31.6 percent earn between Tk 10,301 and Tk 15,300. Of the unemployed, 41.8 percent have opted to expand or start their own business and 26.2 percent have no plans about their future.

“The employment rate has increased in the last five years though the progress is still slow,” the survey report said.

The study found 57.6 percent of the survivors are engaged in various types of wage and self-employment.

According to the survey, the condition of 13.1 percent of the victims is getting worse, while 74.5 percent said their physical health is somewhat stable. Around 13.1 percent listed headache and pain in hand and leg and back pain as some of the major physical problems.

In terms of psychosocial health, 30.8 percent are still in trauma compared to 58.4 percent last year.

Some 57.2 percent reported that they are more or less stable and 12 percent have recovered fully.

Most survivors said they have run out of the financial support they received.

In the last 10 months, 97 survivors received trainings, 121 received psychosocial counseling and 115 received health support. The ActionAid Bangladesh was among the organisations that provided the supports.

The report said the closure of the Rana Plaza Claims Administration may indicate success in terms of completing all payments.

However, as the High Court's decision on compensation is yet to be resolved, some argue that the payment made so far was a monetary support, not compensation, the report said.

The report also touched upon the reforms initiated after the collapse.

The reforms included the amendment of the labour law, which addresses the freedom of association and takes measures to bolster occupational health and safety.

“However there is no mechanism to monitor some of these provisions although the rules were framed in 2015,” the report said. On the positive side, the report said, a long-term health support programme for all the survivors is in place.

The discussion for an employee injury benefit scheme has been initiated and a feasibility study is underway.

On the findings of the survey, Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue, said the government should introduce health cards for the injured workers so they can avail free treatment from public hospitals.

He said the injured survivors spend Tk 3,500 for buying medicine and other medical purposes every month.

“It is very difficult for them to buy the medicine and go to doctors for health check-up,” he said.

Saddam Hossain, a survivor, said the NGOs or donors which committed to bearing the long-term treatment costs are no longer doing so.

“As a result, I have to buy medicine on my own. I have borrowed money from a local cooperative for the treatment,” he said.

Nilufar Yeasmin, also a survivor, echoed the same.b