7 units closed, production halted in 13

Some seven garment factories were closed down permanently while production was suspended in 13 units, following the western retailers' factory assessment programmes, sources said.
The shutdown and production suspension took place after the official review committee visited the units after having opinions of the Accord and the Alliance regarding their structural flaws, they added.
On the other hand, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) claimed that a total of nine factories were closed down permanently and production was suspended in 11 factories.
But the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) officials said production was suspended in 16 factories, while seven RMG units in two buildings might not reopen.
Among the permanently closed down seven Chittagong-based factories are: Men's Apparel Ltd, Day Apparels Ltd, Day Fashions Ltd and Baized, located in the same building. Besides, the three others, located in one building, are RSI Apparels Ltd, Kent Garments (Pvt) Ltd and Shahchand Garments Ltd, according to BGMEA.
Sources said two other factories in Dhaka -- All Weather Fashions Ltd and Crystal Apparels Ltd -- remained partially closed. The official review committee asked for their detailed engineering assessment (DEA).
DIFE inspector general Syed Ahmed said, "Engineers opined that the seven factories, located in Chittagong, can't be reopened even after retrofitting, as their structural condition is very poor." "They also suggested relocation for reopening those units," he added.
Regarding the two Dhaka-based closed factories, the DIFE IG said, "It will not possible to say about them before DEA. But the factories might be reopened after retrofitting."
The review committee asked six more factories for production suspension after finding structural flaws. The units are -- Softex Cotton (Pvt) Ltd, Fame Knitwear Ltd, Diamond Sweater Industries Ltd, Four Wings Ltd, Natural Sweaters Ltd and Tunic Fashions Ltd.
The authorities of Cherry (Pvt) Ltd, Joya Fashion and Florence Fashions Ltd suspended their production while the review committee recommended DEA, Mr Ahmed said.
Regarding Libas Textiles Ltd, he said the factory authority is carrying out retrofication in one of its buildings, and production was suspended.
But he could not give any detail regarding Ultimate Fashions Ltd, though BGMEA claimed that the factory's production was suspended.
According to DIFE, about 3,500 workers have been unemployed following the shutdown of nine factories. The total number is about 11,000, if the factories, closed and production suspended, are included.
On the other hand, BGMEA claimed that about 18,000 workers have been unemployed following the inspection.
The Accord -- an initiative of more than 150 global apparel brands, retailers, companies and trade unions -- has so far assessed 250 factories and found critical faults in eight buildings.  
The Alliance - a group of North American apparel companies, retailers and brands - has inspected more than 450 factories and found structural flaws in four buildings.
On the other hand, BUET has inspected 252 factories and submitted report about only 50 factories to the authority concerned. Out of the 50 factories, BUET recommended DEA for six factories.