Press Releases
Global Union Urges Proper Compensation for Victims of Bangladesh Factory Fire
Global Union Urges Proper Compensation for Victims of Bangladesh Factory Fire
For immediate release: March 18, 2010
Following the deadly fire at the Garib & Garib Sweater factory in Dhaka which left twenty-two workers dead and another fifty injured, the Global Union Federation representing workers in the sector has urged the brands sourcing from the factory and the employers’ association BGMEA to come together to develop a compensation scheme that meets the needs of the victims and the families of the deceased, including emergency relief as well as they payment of compensation based on the needs of those affected.
Says Patrick Itschert, General Secretary of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF): “Following the collapse of the Spectrum factory in 2005, the ITGLWF and the Spanish retailer Inditex helped set up a relief scheme for the families of the 64 workers who died and for the 84 who were injured. In the process we gained some valuable learnings which can provide guidance in dealing with the situation at Garib & Garib.
According to Mr. Itschert, the compensation scheme for those affected by the Garib & Garib tragedy should include for four key steps: “First, the provision of emergency relief, which should consist of an initial compensation to meet funeral and burial expenses, the payment of medical expenses to the injured and oversight of their proper medical treatment, as well as the payment of at least two months’ wages to the workers who lost their jobs as a result of the disaster.
“Second, the establishment of a multi-stakeholder team to determine the needs of those affected, on the basis of field research into the demographics of the victims. Involving the employers’ association in this exercise in particular is an important means of making them aware of the level of compensation necessary to assist families in such circumstances.
“Third, the calculation of compensation. The buyers and the owner must share responsibility for the failure to ensure adequate health and safety in the factory and therefore should jointly contribute to meet the needs outlined above.
“Finally, the transfer of funds to the victims by the BGMEA, witnessed by representatives of the buyers and the local unions.
The brands have been invited to participate in a round-table meeting in Bangladesh to discuss the implementation of the scheme.
The ITGLWF has also asked the buyers to give some indication of what measures it plans to take to ensure the proper implementation throughout its supply chain of its code of conduct, including ensuring respect for the right of freedom of association as a means of helping to ensure that health and safety problems are tackled at the workplace.
The ITGLWF earlier made approaches to the government and to the manufacturers’ association BGMEA calling for measures to ensure that exemplary compensation is paid and that comprehensive measures are taken to ensure the proper implementation of national labour laws and international labour standards.
To date, only H&M of Sweden and Teddy S.p.A of Italy have confirmed they were sourcing from the factory. H&M announced that the two companies are discussing the best way to support those affected by the fire.
Efforts are continuing to identify other customers sourcing from Garib & Garib.
For more information, contact: Patrick Itschert (General Secretary) at32/2/512.26.06 or office@itglwf.org Visit our website at www.itglwf.org
