The government has moved to launch hotlines as an effective complaint mechanism for workers to report on violation of their rights, fire and building safety and other related issues.
The ministry of labour and employment in a letter has requested the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) for two telephone numbers for the purpose, sources have said.
However, apparel makers expressed their apprehension that the hotlines might be misused.
The government's move to launch the hotlines came in line with the US Action Plan that suggested creation of an effective complaint mechanism, including a hotline, for workers to confidentially and anonymously report on fire and building safety and violation of their rights.
"We have already sought two numbers from the BTRC for the hotlines," a senior labour ministry official told the FE.
The hotlines would be available mainly for the ready-made garment (RMG) workers so that they could report on compliance and safety-related issues, especially inform the authority instantly of any violation of their rights or any risk like a fire or building cracks, he added.
The service would also help them inform the authorities of any harassment or obstacles to trade union activities, he said adding the Fire Service had already launched such a hotline immediately after the Rana Plaza collapse at Savar in Dhaka last year.
There was also international pressure for creating the hotlines, he said. There might be some unwanted calls, but it would not create any major problem, he added.
It would be possible to take action over any false call or misuse of the service, if any, as the number of inspectors would gradually increase following the government's move to recruit 200 more inspectors.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Atiqul Islam in a meeting with buyers' representatives expressed his concern over the issue.
"We understand the hotline is a positive concept, but this is also true that it may be misused for false reporting in view of the labour intensity of the sector," he said. One false call would be good enough for destroying the business of a factory as the information would be quickly shared with the RMG retailers' groups Accord and Alliance.
Citing the example of Liberty and Patriot Garments, he said the possible misuse of the hotline for false reporting might cause a heavy damage to the business and reputation of a factory.
"What measure is there to prevent the misuse?" he said. "What legal protection is there for the factories and how will the damage be compensated? Who will take the responsibility of the affected factory?" he added.
He, however, admitted the necessity of hotlines for sustainability of the RMG sector and at the same time stressed the need for a mechanism for addressing grievance inside factories.
