Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handing over a compensation cheque to the victims of Savar Rana Plaza tragedy at her office. BGMEA President Md. Atiqul Islam, Second Vice President SM Mannan (Kochi), Vice President Md. Shahidullah Azim, and Vice President (Finance) Reaz Bin Mahmood are also present there.

The Rana Plaza collapse was a tragic incident in the history of garment industry in Bangladesh. The accident shook and shocked the nation and the international community. However, the way the nation dealt with the disaster is a glaring example of our unity and brevity in time of need. People from different walks of life immediately came into assistance to the victims of the eight-storey building collapse. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), which has been working relentlessly for the betterment of millions of apparel workers since its inception, also took no time to respond to the accident. The apex trade body of garment manufacturers and exporters with its full strength came into assistance of the Rana Plaza victims.

BGMEA President and Office Bearers rushed to the spot after the Rana Plaza collapse and took immediate step to facilitate the rescue operation of the victims trapped in the rubble. 

• BGMEA took necessary steps to assist the survivors of Rana Plaza accident. The trade body ensured payment of salary and allowances of all the workers and employees of five factories housed in the Rana Plaza and one more factory, named New Wave located in Mirpur, in accordance with the labor law within 15 days of the accident.
• BGMEA provided treatment and medical supports to 850 injured Rana Plaza victims keeping them at Apollo, United and Square hospitals, NITOR, DMCH, BIRDEM, IPGMR, NICVD, Dhaka CMH, Savar CMH, Savar CRP, Enam Medical College Hospital, Upazil health complexes, and a few other clinics of Savar area.
• BGMEA donated Tk 20 million to the Prime Minister’s relief fund for the families of the deceased workers.
• BGMEA gave Tk 35,000 to each of the 12 pregnant survivors for their delivery and treatment.
• A of total of 26 unfortunate workers have lost their limbs. CRP, HOPE Bangladesh, CDD and BRAC in cooperation with BGMEA have provided them with artificial limbs.
• The first Orthotics & Prosthetics School in Bangladesh has been launched at the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) on 24 April 2014 to teach Rana Plaza victims with permanent disabilities how to effectively use artificial limbs in day to day life. BGMEA has so far donated a total of Tk 20 lac to the school and will contribute Tk 10 lac more.
• BGMEA handed over orphan boys and girls to ORCA Homes, Chittagong and Anjuman Mofidul Islam Orphanage, Savar. 
• BGMEA also agreed to provide jobs to all jobless workers of the five garment factories housed in the Rana Plaza. A total of 140 workers, who lost their jobs due to Rana Plaza tragedy, contacted BGMEA and were provided with jobs at different garment factories.

BGMEA leaders along with ministers visited the Rana Plaza victims at hospitals and extended necessary financial and medical supports to them for proper treatment.

BGMEA’s financial support to Rana Plaza victims

The Rana Plaza collapse was really a painful incident for us. But we have not lost our morale. Instead of yielding to the grief and challenges brought by the tragic accident, we have turned our sorrows into strength and taken many immediate and long-term steps to reduce the risk of industrial accidents. BGMEA with the support of all concerned will continue its endeavor to ensure the safety of our garment workers who have been making significant contribution to the country’s development by making forex-earning apparels.