Industry renews commitment to worker safety
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) paid tribute to the victims of the Rana Plaza collapse on its 13th anniversary with a mourning rally, wreath-laying and prayers at Jurain Graveyard in Dhaka.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan led the association’s board members in placing floral wreaths at the graves of workers who died in one of the country’s deadliest industrial disasters. A special prayer was later offered for the victims.
Senior leaders, directors and members of the association joined the observance to remember the lives lost in the collapse that reshaped Bangladesh’s garment industry.
Speaking after the ceremony, Khan described the day as one of profound sorrow in the history of the apparel sector. He said BGMEA had stood by affected families from the beginning, working alongside the International Labour Organization and other stakeholders to provide ongoing support.
He announced that survivors and family members of deceased workers facing hardship would receive priority in job placement within the industry.
Khan also urged all parties not to exploit the tragedy for narrow interests, stressing that the industry had learned painful lessons from the collapse.
He said the ready-made garment sector had undergone significant reforms over the past decade, transforming workplace safety standards and earning global recognition as a model for safer manufacturing.
BGMEA said it would continue efforts to ensure the highest standards of worker protection across Bangladesh’s garment sector.
