Dhaka Blog

The fugitive owner of an illegally constructed building that collapsed in a deadly heap in Bangladesh last week was captured in an alleged attempt to escape to India.

Mohammed Sohel Rana was arrested on Sunday in Benapole in western Bangladesh, just as he was about to flee into India's West Bengal state.

Rana Plaza, an eight-storey commercial building, collapsed in Savar around 9:30 AM on 24th April 2013. Thousands of people were a victim of this man-made disaster including garment factory workers, women and children. At least 100 are found dead and several others still remain trapped underneath the debris. Death toll is expected to rise in the coming days.

Image Courtesy: CBSNews.com: 8-storey building in Savar collapses.

It is a matter of grave concern how garment factory workers are being treated in the country. They work endlessly everyday and even their survival in a factory isn't guaranteed. They work in very poor conditions, the buildings have barred windows so workers can't escape and they are heavily underpaid. There is no point in blaming foreign companies for the lack of their security concerns for the workers, when the actual problem lies among us. Companies like Primark, Monsoon, Benetton Group were associated with the factories that now lies in ruins. These companies are running a business and their first priority is obviously money. They will choose the cheapest alternative offering the better quality. Because Bangladesh offers cheap labour, they will invest their money on our factory workers. They have a demand they have to meet and for that they will demand more labour from our country. It's pure business.