Editorial
Disappointment for the victims
Key brands fail to show up
Twenty nine brands were invited to attend the Geneva talks held on September 11-12 to discuss a compensation package for Tazreen and Rana Plaza victims, eleven turned up. It is disheartening to learn from media reports that participating brands in the meet organised by IndustriALL and International Labour Organisation (ILO) failed to announce firm commitments to a compensation package for victims.
Where does that leave the victims? It is estimated that more than US$74million would be required to fully compensate all the workers of Rana Plaza. Brands had been asked to provide less than half that amount. For Tazreen victims, the major brands were asked to provide a third of the compensation sought. The scanty attendance itself speaks volumes of how much importance international brands attach to workers' and victims' need for immediate aid. By not turning up at the meet, are we then to assume that international brands are not interested in helping the nearly 2,000 people who were injured or their families?
IndustriALL, the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) and the Workers Rights Consortium (WRC) presented a model for compensation at the Geneva meet. Of the many features, payment for pain and suffering and loss of income, both of which occurred in these disasters, were included. Although some brands such as Primark, C&A have provided compensation packages, what is needed is a comprehensive solution to address the problem. We certainly hope that major brands and retailers will work with the employers, the government and trade unions to come to such a solution in the immediate future.
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