12 years of Rana Plaza tragedy today
Mehedi Hasan Shaon, Ashulia ( Savar)
Twelve years ago today, the Rana Plaza building in Savar collapsed, killing hundreds of workers in an instant. In one of the deadliest industrial disasters in history, at least 1,134 people lost their lives, and more than two thousand were injured. That tragedy continues to haunt the nation to this day.
Nahida Begum, who lost her husband in the tragedy, said, “Every year on this day, I come here. The government has given some compensation, but how can you replace a life? My son is growing up without ever seeing his father's face.”
Retired garment worker Rubina Akhter said, “We did see some changes after the incident, but many factories still lack emergency exits, and wages are often irregular. Safety isn't just about strong buildings – a safe and dignified working environment is also essential.”
Following the disaster, large-scale initiatives were launched to improve factory safety in Bangladesh. The Accord and Alliance, formed with the support of European brands, inspected building and fire safety in over 2,500 factories. However, many now question how sustainable these efforts have truly been.
A researcher from the Bangladesh Institute of Labor Studies (BILS) noted, “Inspections did happen, but without ongoing oversight, permanent frameworks, and worker participation, such changes cannot be lasting.”
Although Rana Plaza’s owner, Sohel Rana, remains in jail, the legal proceedings are still ongoing. Families and human rights activists have expressed frustration over the slow pace of justice.
Lawyer Sharmin Rahman said, “Even after twelve years, there is no final verdict. This is not only an example of impunity, but also a dangerous message for the future.”
The collapse of Rana Plaza is not just a tragic incident in Bangladesh’s labor history—it is a question of accountability. Even after twelve years, those questions remain: Are workers’ lives any safer? Is their dignity truly respected? On this day, laying flowers is not enough—we need courage and moral commitment to ensure that no more Rana Plazas are added to our chapters of sorrow.
