Unseen struggle of Rana Plaza survivor Afroza

A decade after the devastating Rana Plaza collapse in Savar, Views Bangladesh set out to revisit the lives of its survivors and understand their current realities. In the course of this search, two survivors were found living not far from the site of the collapse.

Afroza Begum, a garment worker from New Wave Style Limited on the seventh floor, was one of the lucky few to survive. She now lives in a small rented house with her husband, four children, and her ailing husband. The modest home contains a thin mattress, scattered furniture, and medical records from her decade-long treatment. Her family struggles daily to make ends meet, often going without rice, relying on flour roti, and depending on neighbors for leftover food.

Afroza was severely injured in the collapse, suffering a head injury and a broken spine. The incident also caused long-term breathing issues, compounded by years of medication side effects. Her condition has worsened over time, with tumors, heart problems, and psychological struggles. Recently, her husband, the sole breadwinner, was diagnosed with a heart block, leaving him bedridden. Her eldest daughter is battling lung disease, and her sons face health challenges preventing them from attending school.

Originally from Gaibandha, Afroza moved to Savar in January 2013, seeking better opportunities. At two months pregnant, she took a job as a swing helper at Rana Plaza. On April 24, 2013, the building collapsed, changing her life forever. She now lives in Motaleb Mia's house in Savar, receiving some assistance from the “Medical Assistance Trust for Workers Injured in Rana Plaza Accident.”

Despite her ongoing medical treatment, Afroza and her family continue to struggle with poverty. She shares that her doctor prescribes food and medicine, but she often has no money for both. Despite the promises from the new government of compensation, she has received no support. The small amount given initially has already run out. Her children’s education has been severely affected, as she could not afford school uniforms or fees.

Afroza received only 98,000 taka in compensation, while spending over 7 lakh on her treatment, borrowing money from relatives and selling her husband’s land. Various labour organisations are demanding the distribution of the Tk 1.8 crore held in the government fund for compensation for all injured workers, including Afroza.

Khairul Mamun Mintu, legal affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Garment and Sweater Workers Trade Union Center, emphasized that the Rana Plaza collapse did more than destroy a building—it shattered the dreams of thousands. Afroza Begum’s story highlights the ongoing suffering of workers like her, who continue to endure physical and emotional trauma without proper compensation.

Afroza asks, "When will we be free from this suffering? Our families have been destroyed, and the families of those who died are still suffering. How are they surviving without compensation?" She calls for justice and support for the survivors and their families.

Savar Upazila Social Service Officer KM Shahiduzzaman acknowledged the limitations of individual efforts and expressed hope that collective action could improve the situation for those affected.