“Rana Plaza, the eight-story building housing at least four garment factories in the building’s third to eighth floors, collapsed on the morning of April 24, 2013. It was not just an accident. The day before, the inhabitants of the buildings saw large cracks developing in the building and local engineers advised evacuation. Accordingly, the shops on the first floor and a private bank took measures for evacuation. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers Association (BGMEA) warned the garment factory owners of the building and asked them not to open the factory until they gave clearance. The workers were asked to leave in the afternoon of 23rd April.
But next day, April 24th, the factory management (from third to eighth floor) asked the workers to return to work and threatened to sack or not pay the salary to those workers who would not come to work. The garment workers did not want to come. They were afraid that the building might collapse anytime. Fearing the threat of being fired or losing salary, in the morning, around 8:30 am, more than 70% of the workers (roughly 3,500), were inside the building. The majority of them were young girls.”
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But next day, April 24th, the factory management (from third to eighth floor) asked the workers to return to work and threatened to sack or not pay the salary to those workers who would not come to work. The garment workers did not want to come. They were afraid that the building might collapse anytime. Fearing the threat of being fired or losing salary, in the morning, around 8:30 am, more than 70% of the workers (roughly 3,500), were inside the building. The majority of them were young girls.”
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Forced To Die: The Garment Workers At Rana Plaza By Farida Akhter
The workers were told that if they didn’t come in, they wouldn’t be paid for the entire month.