IndustriALL asks retailers to pay compensation by April 24
IndustriALL Global Union, a federation of trade unions, yesterday asked all related clothing retailers and brands to deposit money to the Rana Plaza compensation fund within April 24, the first anniversary of the nation's deadliest industrial disaster.
A fund of $40 million is needed to make appropriate payments to the families of those crushed at their workstations in the Rana Plaza building and also to the survivors, hundreds of whom lost limbs and their ability to work, IndustriALL said in a statement.
So far, four or five retailers and brands have agreed to contribute to the fund. IndustriALL in December last year called upon 29 retailers and brands, who used to buy garments from the ill-fated factories in Rana Plaza, to build the compensation fund.
A government committee on the Rana Plaza building collapse has also recommended compensation for the victims, but IndustriALL wants the victims to be paid under the 'ILO Convention 121'.
According to the government committee, a death victim will receive Tk 14 lakh, but if the compensation is paid under the ILO rules, a death victim will receive more than Tk 28 lakh, said Roy Ramesh, general secretary to the IndustriALL Bangladesh Council.
“We want the government, retailers and brands to pay the workers following the ILO formula so that the workers are benefited more,” Ramesh said.
The IndustriALL conducted a survey on payment of compensation in the second half of 2013. Many retailers and brands already reached a final agreement in December 2013 with the signed commitment from all parties.
IndustriALL said some brands connected with Rana Plaza must pay their share urgently. Those retailers and brands are Adler, Auchan, Benetton, Camaieu, Carrefour, Carrona, Cato Fashions, Children's Place, JC Penney, Kids for Fashion, Lee Cooper, Manifattura Corona, Mango, Matalan, NKD, Premier Clothing, Primark, PVT (Texman), Store 21, Yes Zee and Walmart.
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