Factory inspection: After closure what?

Now that the shutting down of noncompliant readymade garment (RMG) factories is apparently the only recourse to demonstrate the government's vigilance in implementing its action programme, the issue of jobless workers is fast emerging as a serious problem with no other plan of action in sight. Although closure involves manifold problems, not to mention losing markets overseas, the bottom-line that must not be contested is that a factory that poses safety threat to its workers has to wind up.

In the wake of the global outcry over the working conditions in Bangladesh RMG factories after the Rana Plaza collapse in April last year, the collaborative action plan of overseas retailers, International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the government has seen some progress. The forum of the North American retailers--Alliance and that of the Europeans -- Accord, are presently conducting inspection of the factories from where their members source apparel. The ILO in collaboration with the government is to inspect the remaining factories. There is confusion over the actual state of factory inspection. Presently, a number of inspection teams are working simultaneously. Much of the confusion could have been dispelled if the government or the Bangladesh Garments' Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA) could come up with a clear picture on how things are at work, as well as furnish the steps ahead, including information on the number of factories closed, number of workers out of job, and plans for reemployment of the workers.

According to a study conducted by the Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB), some 50,000 workers lost their jobs over the last one year following the closure of apparel units because of work order cancellation by buyers on grounds of compliance deficiency. Besides, the study mentioned, the buyers' forum formed to implement compliance recommended shutting down of 13 factories housed at shared buildings. This will make 11,500 workers jobless and work orders worth US$110 million will be scrapped. A former BGMEA President mentioned the other day that if the inspections are done in strict conformity with compliance requirements, around 40 per cent of the garment factories in Bangladesh might end up pulling down their shutters.   

This will put the fate of a large number of workers, estimated to be in millions, in jeopardy. The only respite so far available for the increasing number of jobless workers came in the form of an announcement that workers of garment units that need to shut down temporarily for renovation will be paid two months' salaries. Of the payment, the North American apparel retailers' Alliance will bear 50 per cent of the cost while the factory owners will bear the rest. The Alliance made the disclosure after it inspected nearly 400 factories out of the 700 that American buyers source from. What the Alliance has suggested is only a tiny ray of hope. There has to be a short to mid-term plan on the part of the government, BGMEA, non-government organisations (NGOs) and the rights groups to address the problems facing an increasing number of workers out of their jobs, for no fault of theirs. The important thing is that most of these workers have attained skills, in varying degrees though, and hence their unemployment is a national loss.