The government is going to start formally inspection to the readymade garment factories, which are not to be inspected by the American and European retailers’ groups, from today to ensure fire, electrical and building safety in the industrial units.
The International Labour Organisation is assisting the government in conducting the inspection.
Earlier, on November 15 the government had started inspection to the RMG factories on a pilot basis.
The National Tripartite Committee at a meting on Thursday decided that the experts of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology would assess the factory buildings that are not part of inspection by Alliance or Accord for structural integrity and fire and electrical safety.
Labour secretary Mikail Shipar, Fire Service and Civil Defence director general Ali Ahmed Khan, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association acting president Shahidullah Azim, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association vice-president Mohammad Hatem, Bangladesh Employers’ Federation secretary general Farooq Ahmed and National Coordination Committee for Workers’ Education member secretary Wajedul Islam Khan attended the meeting, among others.
The National Tripartite Committee of key stakeholders in the RMG sector including key government agencies, employers and
trade unions endorsed harmonised minimum standards against which the building assessments will be carried out.
Representatives of Accord and Alliance were also present in the meeting.
‘The agreement is a major breakthrough and it will help ensure the safety of all workers in the garment industry in Bangladesh and prevent tragic events like Tazreen fire and Rana Plaza collapse from happening again,’ said Shipar.
-With New Age input
