Factory inspection department survey finds
A Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments survey has found that 49 per cent of the country’s readymade garment factories do not take approval from factory inspectors for additional working hours at their units. DIFE officials said that taking approval from factory inspector for additional working hours is mandatory. The DIFE conducted the survey in 317 garment factories in January-March period.
The survey on compliance issue in the RMG sector found that 21 per cent of the factories did not provide appointment letters to their workers while 26 per cent of the units violated holiday rules.
The DIFE also found that 51 per cent of the factories had no arrangement for workers’ personal safety.
Of the 317 garment factories surveyed, 206 are members of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, 32 are members of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association and 79 other factories are not under any association.
According to the survey report, there are no trade unions in 85 per cent of the factories while 50 per cent of the units introduced workers’ participation committee.
The BGMEA, however, differed with the DIFE and said that the compliance situation had improved more than what the survey report said.
BGMEA vice-president Shahidullah Azim told New Age that taking approval for working hours from factory inspectors was not required as the units were running with the working hours stipulated in the labour act.
Differing with the DIFE report, he said that up to April this year more than 87 per cent of garment factories provided appointment letters to their workers.
Azim said that safety devices like musk and gloves had made mandatory for workers in every factory to ensure workers’ personal safety but some of the workers were unwilling to use the tools.
According to the DIFE survey, 26 per cent of the factories surveyed do not maintain workers’ service book and 21 per cent of the units do not provide ID card with photograph to their workers.
The survey found that 31 per cent of the factories did not allow maternity leave and allowances.
The report also said that 58 per cent of the factories did not maintain safety record books and boards while 43 per cent of them had no safety committee.
Syed Ahmed, chief inspector of the DIFE, told New Age that they had served notices on the authorities of the factories for correction measures.
‘The DIFE will beef up its follow-up monitoring at the factories and will take legal action if any factory fails to correct its shortfalls in compliance,’ he said.
-With New Age input
