Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dacca (Fides Service) - Grief and dismay reign in Bangladesh for the collapse of the textile factory near Dacca, on 11 April. Rescue workers continue to search for survivors, as the death toll rises and at least 200 people are thought to be still trapped under the rubble.
Italian Xaverian missionary Fr. Silvano Garello stationed in Dacca, told Fides about the situation. “In the case of that factory the security norms had not been respected. The factory was built on a swamp like many houses and bridges which are regularly swept away in floods and earthquakes. At least 100 people must have been killed, imagining how many workers reduced to slavery were packed into the building”.
With regard to the situation of labour, unemployment and poverty in Bangladesh the missionary said: “People are desperate and they accept to be exploited working for a ridiculous wage and exhausting hours. This phenomenon involves also women and children: the number of child workers continues to rise and with it the illiteracy rate. More and more people keep moving from rural areas to cities and today in Dacca with a population of over 14 million, poverty is truly suffocating”.
“For us as missionaries - Fr. Silvano said - life is difficult too. We are Christians in a Muslim country and what is more we are also foreigners and have no space in society. Our aim is to inform the people of their human rights and dignity. A non violent change can come from the people if only they realise their rights and dignity. But this work of increasing awareness must be done all over the country. What is more drastic measures need to be taken to fight poverty. There is an abyss between the few immensely rich and the millions of extremely poor. To escape poverty many try to reach other countries even risking their lives. When in 1986 the Pope came to Bangladesh he spoke of the need to respect human rights, there was much applause but nothing changed. Life in Bangladesh is poverty and slavery”.
The priest concluded: “As Christians and missionaries our duty is to bear witness to Christ with our lives and to spread Christ’s message, proclaimed by John Paul II, with regard to the dignity and primary importance of every human person”.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/4/2005 righe 30 parole 325)
