At an emotion-filled cheque-giving ceremony yesterday, BGMEA, on behalf of the building's owner, distributed 19 cheques of Tk 79,000 each to the relatives of 19 out of 24 workers at the BGMEA office in Karwan Bazar.

BGMEA officials said compensation will be given to the remaining five heirs, who did not show up yesterday, as soon as they come forward.

The relatives of the 24 victims are entitled to receive a total of Tk one lakh each. BGMEA is providing cheques of Tk 79,000 while the remaining Tk 21,000 will be given through the Commissioner of the Labour Court, as per existing labour laws. The Tk 21,000 disbursements have already been sent to the commissioner.

Abdul Awal Mintoo, president of the Federation of the Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) attended the ceremony as chief guest, while BGMEA President Annisul Huq presided.

President Huq announced a number of new initiatives to aid the ailing victims and their families, and to ensure that the lives of workers are better safeguarded in the future.

He said BGMEA has decided that all BGMEA members, both old and new, will be required to make life insurance compulsory for their workers. An insurance system for owners is also under process, he said, adding that his organization will manage employment opportunities for the young relatives of the workers who died in the tragic building collapse.

BGMEA has also decided that entrepreneurs seeking membership in BGMEA will be subjected to inquiries to determine if their buildings have been constructed according to proper legal codes.

The compensation brought little relief for the bereaved families of the deceased yesterday. Ayesha Begum, who lost her only son Milon, the only breadwinner for her four-member family, said with an emotion-choked voice, "What I will do with this money. Will it call me Ma?"

According to BGMEA, the 19 dead victims compensated yesterday were M Shah Alam, Abu Bakor Siddique, M Abdul Alim, M Nurul Amin, Manirul Islam, M Sanaullah, Soleman Sikdar (Jamal), Mamotaj Parvin, Masud Rana Sohel, Rodoy Ahmed, Abdus Salam, Abul Hashem, Asadul Islam, Abdul Gafur, Jahangir Alam, Milon, Raton Miah, Abdur Razzak and M Rafiqul Islam.

The names of the remaining five dead workers, whose relatives did not show up yesterday to take their cheques, are Akidul Islam, Abul Kalam Azad, Abu Jafar, Abdul Barik and Humayun Kabir.

BGMEA officials said compensation to the relatives of the other dead victims would be given in phases once applications are submitted by their heirs.

Deputy General Manager M Z Bokhari of Spectrum Sweater Industries Ltd. attended the ceremony, saying he was representing the owner.