GENEVA (ILO News) - Strengthening occupational health and safety is a fundamental step for achieving social justice for all, said the ILO during a ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of the Rana Plaza tragedy, in which more than 1,130 workers lost their lives and thousands were injured when a garment factory collapsed in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on 24 April 2013.
The ceremony, organized by the ILO's Bureau for Workers' Activities (ACTRAV), brought together ILO officials and representatives of trade unions from different countries, Global Union Federations including IndustriAll and Uni Global Union, to honour the memory of the victims of Rana Plaza collapse.
"We are gathered here at the ILO to honour the memory of the victims of Rana Plaza and all the workers who lost their lives in this tragedy. The collapse of the Rana Plaza and its aftermath is a start reminder that occupational safety and health is not only a fundamental right at work, but also a key step in the quest to achieve social justice for all, said Manuela Tomei, ILO Assistant Director-General for Governance, Rights and Dialogue.
In 2022, the ILO's constituents adopted a landmark resolution at the International Labour Conference which included "a safe and healthy working environment" as fundamental principle and right at work.
Bangladesh is the world's second largest exporter of garments, with over 4 million workers in this sector. Following the collapse of the Rana Plaza, considerable efforts have been made to improve safety in Bangladesh's garment factories. Compensation has been paid to the families of the victims through joint efforts involving the ILO, trade unions, Global Unions Federations, brands and retailers, NGOs, development partners and the Bangladesh government.
Despite the progress made in improving safety and labour rights in the garment sector, significant challenges remain in strengthening social dialogue and respect for trade union rights.
"This Rana Plaza commemoration ceremony is also a message to encourage further labour law reforms in line with international labour standards. We call for more respect of trade union rights and strengthening social dialogue. Trade unions must be involved in the design of policies to achieve sustainable solutions to protect workers," said Maria Helena ANDRE, Director of ACTRAV.
Several trade union representatives took part in the ceremony and reaffirmed their commitment to continue to work with the ILO to advance health and safety at work for all.
"Although significant progress in Bangladesh's garment industry has been made, safe factories still need to be fought for," says Atle Høie, IndustriALL General secretary."Workers who produce the clothes that we wear deserve a workplace that provides them with a living wage and decent working conditions, not a workplace that threatens to take their lives. More brands need to join the Accord, especially in North America, to gain the leverage we need to extend it to more countries and make it a truly global Accord."
