Hindsight, ah hindsight!

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Mahmudur Rahman
The ready-made garments industry is finding out to its chagrin that damage control can be expensive. For all the might and power at its disposal the industry has its back to the wall in trying to defend itself or, to be more positive, communicating the positives that the industry has brought about.
Whether on talk shows or interviews their representatives are cutting a sorry figure. While there can some empathy for their plight, the real issue is not one as will go away.
The industry is a classical example of a sector that began small and expanded and forgot somewhere down the line that along with growth and success comes bigger responsibility. The argumentation that first generation businessmen are learning the hard way does not seem to have gone down with the members of the public at large who feel that a lot more could have been done for employees and workers.
It's no secret that most of the welfare initiatives put in place by Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA) members, essentially emanated from the conditions put forward by the clients, the buyers. The owners are to be credited for the introduction of more humane working conditions, some far beyond what pure compliance would have required but the rude fact is that this is not wide spread in their community. The "yes there is, no there isn't" debate isn't going to get anyone anywhere. It's time for the industry to really take a long hard look at the figures and come clean about what is happening.
For their part, the industry is quite correct in saying that not one incident in a series of arson has seen any conviction. They are badly hampered by the lack of properly qualified personnel to run their companies to the extent that they have to employ large numbers of expatriate managers at great expense. And their claims that the educational system has also not come up with appropriate courses to churn out enough individuals for intake cannot be brushed aside. But the issue, as always is that of a country with limited resources and a whole heap of priorities.
How they will cope with the pressure of a unionised workforce is another immediate challenge. It's something that can be managed but it will require careful thought, engagement and planning. Part of the answer lies in their own view: the sector isn't ready for a unionised situation yet. Time for some thought and a re-look at the private sector itself for some solutions. (The writer is a former head of corporate and regulatory affairs, British American Tobacco, Bangladesh and former chief executive officer of Bangladesh Cricket Board. He can be reached at e-mail: mahmudurrahman@gmail.com)