Family victims win compensation
03 February 2012
Yesterday, the families of three workers who were killed in Eurotex and Continental Garment factories as a result of two incidences last December, a fire and an accident in a lift, got compensation set at an historic level, based on "loss of earnings".
This compensation, amounting to 1,611,800 taka (approximately £12,000), is aimed at providing long-term income support to the families of the victims. Taking into account that many garment workers earn 3,000 taka a month (approximately £25), this compensation is the equivalent of about 40 years’ wages.
War on Want’s long term partner, the National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF) has been tirelessly leading this campaign to get long-term compensation and to secure treatment for the 64 workers injured in the fire. The level of compensation exceeds what is stated in Bangladeshi Labour Law - 200,000 taka (approximately £1,500), half of it being from the insurance company and half from the factory owners. In this case, two brands outsourcing from these factories, Gap and PVH, have shared the responsibility and assumed these amounts.
NGWF thanked all international labour groups and unions that have put pressure on the brands, Eurotex and Continental management for their commitment to the case and all supporters for their solidarity.
NGWF believes everyone should be campaigning - not for compensation - but to ensure a safe work place for all garment workers in Bangladesh and all over the world. Even though this is a massive "success" for the families of those workers who died, nothing will ever bring back their loved ones.
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