Today marks the 11th anniversary of the most devastating tragedy in Bangladesh's garment industry—the collapse of Rana Plaza. On April 24, 2013, Rana Plaza, an illegally constructed building housing five garment factories, collapsed in Savar, killing 1,138 people and injuring over 2,000. Subsequently, Sohel Rana was charged and has been in jail since his arrest.

Today, remembering the horrific incident, workers from various garment factories at Rana Plaza in Savar wept. Standing under the hot sun with banners and placards, they could not hold back their tears as they spoke of the tragedy and the loss of their loved ones. Those who lost family members, suffered disabilities, and were financially devastated by medical expenses, stood together in a human chain at the Press Club courtyard on Wednesday.

Leaders of the Garment Workers Federation presented several demands during the human chain. These include: the highest punishment for Sohel Rana and all other accused; proper medical treatment, employment, and rehabilitation for the injured workers; educational arrangements for the children of deceased and injured workers; all buyers and brands to sign the Accord agreement; freedom for unrestricted trade unions and collective bargaining in all factories including EPZs; social protection and occupational health safety for workers.

Moreover, the demands called for workplace accident insurance coverage; maternity leave set at six months; legislation to prevent all forms of violence and sexual harassment against women at work; signing ILO Convention 190; and urging all members of the European Parliament to vote for the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.

The formal trial process began on January 31, 2022, after taking depositions from witnesses in the murder case filed over the Rana Plaza collapse. On July 18, 2016, Judge S M Kuddus Zaman of the Dhaka District and Sessions Court had framed charges against the accused, but the validity of this order was challenged by most accused, stalling the process. The appeal was resolved on January 31, 2022, and Judge A H M Habibur Rahman Bhuiyan of the District and Sessions Court recorded the deposition of the plaintiff, then-Sub-Inspector Wali Ashraf of Savar Police Station.

In this tragic event, then-Sub-Inspector Wali Ashraf filed a murder case against the owner and others, accusing them of negligence in building construction. On June 1, 2015, Assistant Superintendent of Police Bijoy Krishna Kar of the CID filed a charge sheet against Sohel Rana and 41 others in court. A total of 594 people were listed as witnesses in the case.