MI-BADC Press Release on Rana Plaza Collapse in Bangladesh

DETROIT, MI – The MI-BADC Executive Council, the MI-BADC Congressional District Committees, the MI-BADC Advisory Council, and the MI-BADC Board of Trustees jointly expressing deepest condolence to the victims of the Rana Plaza collapse in Savar, Bangladesh.  The MI-BADC leadership is saddened by the death of 397 innocent Garment workers to date and 2438 seriously injured by this devastating building collapse.

The MI-BADC leadership is praying for the departed souls so that the Almighty Allah places them in the Heaven.  The leadership is also urging Bangladeshis from all corners of the globe to come forward and offer prayers and humanitarian support to the families of the victims.

The MI-BADC leadership thanks to the first responders and emergency workers for working united in saving lives, offering medical aids to the injured, and taking care of the ritual affairs for those who lost their lives in this tragic incident.  The MI-BADC leadership is also urging the Bangladesh Government to take necessary action against culprit Sohel Rana and those culprits responsible in these deaths to bring them to justice according to the highest law of the land and also provide financial support to the victim families.

Since last year, the Bangladeshi American Democratic Caucus (BADC-USA) in collaboration with MI-BADC, CA-BADC, and OH-BADC is working with several US Congressional leaders for Quota and Duty free access of the Bangladeshi Garments to the USA market.  Dr. Nazmul Hassan (Shahin) said, “We will ask BGMEA leadership to understand the requirements of the US Congress – the Safety, the Security, and the Rights of the Workers.  If these requirements are met then it will be a strong case and arguments for BADC-USA to work with the US Congressional leaders to consider a bill on Quota and Duty free access of the Bangladeshi Garments to the US market.”

OH-BADC President, Mohammed Sattar said, “We are asking the Government, the BGMEA leadership, and all involved in this industry to take necessary measures to save the 2^nd largest Garment Industry in the world and hundreds of thousands of jobs in Bangladesh.”