Rmg Factory
US buyers arrive in mid-Sept to prepare safety framework
A team of North American buyers who formed Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety Initiative is likely to visit Bangladesh in mid September to prepare the detailed framework of the safety programme in the RMG factories under a five-year plan.
Before visiting Bangladesh the Alliance executive committee is going to hold a meeting in Chicago on August 20 to discuss the technical aspects of their action plan.
‘We have been informed that the North American Alliance is going to begin implementation of their action plan for factory inspection and renovation in Bangladesh through the Chicago meeting,’ Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association vice-president Shahidullah Azim told New Age on Saturday.
He said that the Alliance would set a final draft on their next steps in Bangladesh and then come here to discuss with the sector people and government officials concerned.
The 17 North American retailers, including Walmart and Gap, on July 10 formed the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety Initiative undertaking a five-year plan, which sets aggressive timelines and accountability for inspections, training and worker empowerment.
The Alliance had promised that they would provide the necessary funding over the five-year period — currently at $42 million — to support the specific programmes of the initiative, with some companies offering an additional combined total of over $100 million in loan and access to capital to assist factory owners they work with in Bangladesh for factory safety improvements.
Azim said the Alliance had already raised the $42-million fund and they wanted to provide the amount in loan with 4 per cent interest to assist the vulnerable factory owners to be compliant.
The alliance incorporated BRAC Bank in their executive committee as they are interested to disburse the amount through the bank, he added.
Azim also said the North American retailers had yet to finalise any date but they were likely to visit Bangladesh in mid September.
Earlier, a consortium of 70 retailers and apparel brands from EU formed the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh and announced its action on July 8.
The Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh came into effect on May 15 after more than 1,100 people, mostly garment workers, died when a building, Rana Plaza, collapsed at Savar on the outskirts of the capital. But most of the North American retailers refused to sign it.
The steering committee of EU Accord visited Bangladesh in the last week of July and discussed with the stakeholders to prepare the framework of the safety programme in the garment factories.
-With New Age input
