Delay in compensating shameful: ILO

International Labour Organization deputy director general Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo on Thursday expressed displeasure over the slow progress in compensating the Rana Plaza victims saying it will be a ‘shame’ for all the stakeholders.

“It’s very hard and difficult to speak in Dhaka today and say that the victims still can’t be compensated adequately,” said Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo.

The ILO deputy director general made the comment while speaking at a function, titled ‘One Year after Rana Plaza: Progress and the way Forward’, at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in Dhaka.

Gilbert Houngbo said the increased number of factory unions is a significant step towards improved workers’ rights.

"We also need to think ahead in terms of preparedness through a workplace injury insurance scheme for example,” he added.

European ambassador to Bangladesh William Hanna said today’s reports (media) remind them of the continued suffering of many victims one year later.

“We call for rapid and full compensation of the victims and a coordinated approach in this area,” Hanna said.

British high commissioner Gibson said, “Let’s use this anniversary to maintain the momentum and push for further progress. We must ensure that commitments made translate into real changes.”

Expatriate welfare and overseas employment minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain spoke at the event as the chief guest.

Labour secretary Mikail Shipar, US ambassador in Dhaka Dan W Mozena, Dutch ambassador Gerben Sjoerd de Jong, Canadian high commissioner Heather Cruden, ILO country director Srinivasa B Reddy, BGMEA president M Atiqul Islam, BKMEA first vice president M Hatem, Bangladesh employers’ federation president Tapan Chowdhury, IndustriALL Bangladesh secretary general Roy Ramesh Chandra and National coordination committee for workers education chairperson M Zafrul Hasan also spoke on the occasion.