The recent production suspension slapped on some garment units has raised concern among many factory owners and workers as the issues relating to payment of wages and other benefits during the suspension still remain unresolved in the midst of the ongoing inspection programme, sector insiders said.
The ready-made garment (RMG) sector leaders are of the opinion that many owners do not have the ability to pay workers during the 'production suspension' and bear solely the costs of repairs. But the Accord officials are sticking to their stance that factory owners would have to pay their workers and maintain their 'relations with the workers' during the suspension.
In the meantime, citing production suspension at Softex, for which nearly 3500 workers became jobless, labour leaders have expressed fear that repetition of such action could lead to more job cuts in the sector, thus fuelling fresh labour unrest in the country's apparel sector.
Last month, the Accord inspection team and the official review committee declared three apparel units, Softex Cotton Pvt Ltd, Fame Sweaters Ltd and Diamond, temporarily shut after detection of some structural flaws in the building they were located.
Fame Sweaters and Diamond were recommended to resume production after reducing their load capacity, but the three units, that employed a total of 5000 workers are still closed.
A section of garment manufacturers, on the other hand, said if more factories were declared shut on account of structural and other safety flaws, many factory owners
would find themselves in a difficult situation making them unable to pay wages to their workers 'during suspension' of operation.
Considering the overall situation, both the RMG leaders and those of the workers said there was an urgent need for settling the issue relating to payment of wage benefits to the workers and that of the cost involved in the execution of the remedial plan at non-compliant factories under the ongoing factory assessment initiative -- to avert any untoward situation.
"The present situation, especially the abrupt shutdown of garment factories after inspection, has emerged as a matter of concern for the sector," Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Md Atiqul Islam told the FE recently.
There are many factories located in shared buildings employing thousands of workers in Dhaka city, he said adding if such remedial steps were taken in the future workers would be jobless, while many of the owners might not able to pay them.
Sirajul Islam Rony, president of Bangladesh National Garment Workers Employees League, said majority of the three suspended factories' workers were out of job, while the manufacturers were not making fresh recruitments.
"Workers are the victims of such a move as they are now jobless and not getting the benefits according to the labour law," he alleged.
Former BGMEA president Abdus Salam Murshedy said that though the workers got some benefits like three and a half months' wages, there was no assurance that they would get jobs back.
Recruitment has now more or less stopped as owners are not in a good position due to fall in orders, and also for taking different safety measures, he added.
Former president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) said manufacturers were worried as they faced the sudden closures.
They do not know how they will overcome the situation, he added.
However, both the apparel and labour leaders said the Accord and the Alliance should come forward with a mechanism to solve the ongoing knotty issues for the sake of the workers and the industry.
Md Moshiul Azam Shajal, managing director of Fame Sweaters, said, "I don't want any recurrence of Rana Plaza like tragedy. Until the Accord and the government say in writing that the building is safe, I won't resume production in my factory."
He said the Accord was now coming up with some remedial plans for strengthening the building structures in order to resume production, but it was yet to make clear its position on the funds needed for the repairs.
The Accord Executive Director Rob Wayss confirmed to the FE that they were holding discussion with the factory owners and brands to carry out the initial repairs, so that some parts of the factories could be reopened.
Regarding the workers' payments, he reiterated the Accord stance that the factory owners have to maintain their relations with the workers and pay them during the suspension period.
Uncertainty over payment, fear of labour unrest loom
Monira Munni | Published: April 03, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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