Walmart Stores Inc, the world’s biggest retailer, has called on Bangladesh to shut one factory and examine another after its own inspections found safety problems, reports Reuters.
It released an unusually blunt and detailed public statement on Monday, asking the Bangladesh government to halt production at Stitch Tone Apparels in Chittagong, and to inspect Nassa Group’s Liz Apparels factory complex in Dhaka.
The garment companies could not immediately be reached for comment.
Walmart said it found ‘structural concerns’ at a factory adjacent to Stitch Tone, Dresswell, which was not part of the retailer’s own supply chain. It said the Dresswell factory ‘appeared unstable and could cause a hazard’ for workers at Stitch Tone, which was making clothes for Walmart.
Walmart said it removed its business from Stitch Tone and advised the owner not to continue production.
The inspections also found visible cracks in the wall at Liz Apparels. Walmart said it notified factory owners, the garment association and the government about the safety concern at Liz Apparels and Stitch Tone.
‘The government of Bangladesh did the responsible thing last week by closing factories believed to be dangerous,’ Rajan Kamalanathan, vice president of ethical sourcing for Walmart, said in a statement.
‘We call on them to show the same leadership in the Stitch Tone Apparels and Liz Apparels cases, and take any actions necessary to ensure safe conditions.’
Walmart said it hired Bureau Veritas to inspect for structural, fire and electrical safety, including checking building designs and permits as part of an expanded inspection process it launched last month.
-With New Age input
