President of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury on Monday described the Rana Plaza incident as a rare tragedy in the world history, and demanded prompt trial of those responsible for it.

Speaking at a discussion, he also demanded the government ensure proper compensation for the Rana Plaza victims, reports UNB.

Bikalpa Sramik Dhara organised the programme at BDB’s Kuril Biswa Road office, marking the May Day.

On April 24, 2013, Rana Plaza, an illegally-constructed building at Savar, housed five garment factories, came down crashing, killing, 1,175 people and injuring over 2,000 others.

B Chowdhury, also a former President, bemoaned that the government could not ensure punishment to those responsible for the incident over the last four years.

He urged the government to raise the wages of workers the way it increased the salaries of public servants.

He also called for forming wage boards for all the workers, ensuring a six-month maternity leave for female workers, introducing ration, healthcare and accommodation facilities for RMG workers and properly rehabilitating tannery workers.

Besides, the BDB chief urged the government to make a special allocation in the national budget for the RMG workers.

He also demanded a rise in the wages of workers by 20 percent every year, and sending migrant workers abroad free of cost.