Tazreen fire victim dies amid calls for reparation
A former worker of Tazreen Fashions passed away yesterday morning due to her injuries. The disabled worker had been protesting in front of Jatiya Press Club.
For over two months, workers had been staging a sit-in in front of the press club, demanding proper compensation, rehabilitation and treatment for their injuries sustained during the fire at Tazreen Fashions in November 24, 2012. At least 113 were killed and 172 were injured. The workers' demands for justice and reparations have not yet been met.
Thirty-two-year-old Mosammat Sharmeen Akhter breathed her last at Nischintapur, where Tazreen was located, and where the worker resided till her demise.
She was suffering from chronic injuries caused by lung haemorrhage. On the day of the tragedy, Sharmeen was attempting to exit building after the fire alarm rang. Caught between panic-seized workers, Sharmeen fell, and was trampled as people attempted to run out of the building, said Nasima Akter, another former worker of the factory.
Sharmeen's ribs were shattered, and her lungs were punctured. This caused internal bleeding, followed by infection and lung cancer, Nasima added.
Shahidul Islam Sabuj, general secretary, Garments Workers Unity Forum, said since her financial condition was very poor, and nobody cared about her ailment; she died without proper treatment.
Sharmeen had to arrange funds by herself for the treatment. "She had loans worth Tk 10 lakh for her treatment and family expenses, as she couldn't work. They even took loans against their two rooms in Nischintapur, Savar," said Nasima.
Sharmeen's husband Karim, a day labourer, said she was paid only three months' salary after the incident. The couple have two sons.
According to Sabuj, Sharmeen was present at the sit-in in front of Jatiya Press Club for a dignified compensation and proper treatment with 44 other former workers, who have been protesting for 70 days.
"After staying two days at the footpath, she got sick and we sent her home," said Sabuj.
It has been eight years since the horrific incident, yet most workers of Tazreen Fashions are yet to receive a dignified, proper amount of compensation from the government, Bangladesh Labour Welfare Foundation and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
The injured workers on Tuesday even decided to march to Gono Bhaban with a three-point demand — compensation, rehabilitation and long-term treatment. But they were barred by the police.
"If the government still doesn't pay heed to us, we all have to die like Sharmeen," said an aggrieved Nasima.
Our Savar correspondent contributed to this report.
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