Inspection of RMG factories begins on November 1, finally

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Monira Munni The government's scheduled inspection programme to check structural flaws in garment factories will finally start on November 1 next after finalising the safety checklist, officials said Thursday. Earlier on September 01, the government announced that it would launch a structural integrity and fire safety assessment of buildings housing RMG (readymade garment) factories from September 15 last. Thirty expert panels, led by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), were to be involved in the inspection drive. But the programme was deferred due to unavailability of funds and non-completion of safety manual on fire and building safety, they added. The BUET teams are expected to inspect 1,500-2,000 garment factory buildings under a tripartite agreement between the government, trade unions and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). "Now I am confident to start our inspection part from November 01 as funds have been made available. The safety manual is also ready," Labour Secretary Mikail Shipar told the FE. The National Tripartite Committee will hold a meeting on October 29 when it will give its nod to the fire and building safety manual prepared by the sub-committee, he added. Md Mashiur Rahman, Chief Inspector of Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), who is involved with the checklist formulation, said they have completed the operating manual to carry out the inspection. About 18 to 20 laws regarding fire, electrical and building safety have been coordinated in the manual, he pointed out. A $24.21 million joint project titled 'Improving Working Conditions in the Country's RMG Sector' by the government and the ILO was launched on October 22. The project will provide technical support for building and fire safety assessment, strengthening and supporting labour, fire and building inspections, creating occupational safety and health awareness, capacity and systems, and also providing rehabilitation and skill development training for the victims of disasters like the Rana Plaza collapse and the Tazreen Fashions fire. Earlier, the Accord published a list of about 1,600 factories while the Alliance is scheduled to do the same in about 620 apparel units. The move follows the Rana Plaza building collapse and Tazreen Fashions fire that killed more than 1,200 workers and injured many thousands. Several national and international commitments and initiatives resulted from the tragedies - all aimed at improving safety in Bangladesh's RMG factories. These include initiatives of the Accord, the Alliance and the Compact on improving working conditions and promoting application of international labour standards issued by the European Union, the Bangladesh government, the US and the ILO.