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Despite a decline in the unemployment rate since 2014, a total of 54.5 per cent of Rana Plaza survivors are currently unemployed, according to a study by ActionAid Bangladesh.
Among them, 89 per cent have been without work for the past 5 to 8 years, while 5.5 per cent have been unemployed for the last 3 to 4 years, said the study.
The study, conducted by Institute of Social Business (ISB) on behalf of ActionAid Bangladesh, was revealed in a multilogue titled ‘The Rana Plaza Experience: Tragedy to Transformation’ on Wednesday at a convention hall in Dhaka on the 10th year anniversary of Rana Plaza collapse.
These findings highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the survivors in accessing sustainable employment opportunities and the need for continued efforts to improve their economic security.
The study was conducted among 200 survivors and families of deceased workers affected by the Rana Plaza tragedy. Among the respondents, 69.5 per cent were women, and 30.5 per cent were men.
The study also found that the key reason for those who are currently unemployed is their physical health conditions, and the number has fallen from 67 per cent to 47 per cent from last year. Additionally, 21 per cent of respondents reported that they could not find a suitable job.
The findings of the study also show that 36.3 per cent of survivors, who have recovered from physical and mental health issues, are currently employed in garment factories.
These findings suggest that physical health continues to be a significant barrier to employment for many survivors, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to support their recovery and improve their access to employment opportunities.
The study says that the physical health status of the Rana Plaza incident survivors has not shown any significant improvement. The proportion of survivors claiming to be completely stable has decreased from 17 per cent in 2014 to 7.5 per cent in 2023, while the percentage of respondents whose health has deteriorated over the year increased from 9 per cent to 22.5 per cent during the same period.
More than one-third of the respondents (36.8 per cent) mentioned they are suffering from back pain, while a quarter (24.6 per cent) complained about suffering from headaches. Other health problems include breathing problems, hand, and leg injuries, inability to stand and walk properly, vision and kidney problems.
ActionAid Bangladesh’s Country Director Farah Kabir said, “The most important thing is they (Rana Plaza survivors) have not been able to find economic opportunities to move on. The survivors need support to find alternative livelihood.”
ILO Bangladesh Office Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen said that it is important to recognize the significant strides made in occupational safety and health in the garment industry following the Rana Plaza tragedy.
“The transformation should serve as a model for all industries, emphasizing the importance of creating a culture of safety where workers can freely express their concerns and employers’ proactive measures to address them.”
“Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the government to implement the policies and regulations to ensure the safety of all workers,” Tuomo added.
Department of Inspection for Factories Establishments (DIFE) Joint Inspector General Julia Jesmin also attended the session among others.
