Structural flaws detected in three more RMG units

Three more garment units have been declared partially closed on safety ground after the inspections of western retailers-appointed engineers detected structural flaws in the factory buildings, sources said.

The government panel has asked the authorities of two units-- Love Craft Garments Fabric and Benhid Apparels that were assessed by the Alliance to vacate each of its top floors, they added.

"We have asked Love Craft to immediately evacuate its top floor and also vacate each corner of its remaining five floors," Syed Ahmed, Inspector General of Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishmetns (DIFE) said.

Central columns of the Benhid Apparels were overstressed and we have asked them to vacate its top floor and keep its rooftop unoccupied he said adding both the authorities have been asked to conduct detailed engineering analysis (DEA) within six weeks.

On the other hand, the authorities of Ethical Garments inspected by the Accord-- have closed top four floors out of nine following the recommendation of the Accord.

The Panel didn't visit this unit as the Accord has withdrawn its request finding their recommendation done, he added.

Early this month, the Alliance sent a list of eight garment units to the review panel but later, it has dropped the name of two factories-Arrow Apparels and Odessa Fashion.

When the Inspector General of Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, Syed Ahmed also head of the Panel, sought details of the inspection reports from the Alliance, the latter dropped the said factories' name and requested the panel not to review them.

The rest four units-Bonny Apparels, Asiana Garmetns Industries, Global Merchants and Artistic Apparels Ltd-- have been asked for conducting DEA, Mr Ahmed said.