Stop repeat of 2nd Rana Plaza

Canadian high commissioner to Dhaka Benoit Pierre Laramee Monday called upon the apparel apex body to facilitate the garment factories inspection programme especially carried out under the national initiative.  
His call came after allegation surfaced over non-cooperation from many garment units as the factory safety drive by the government and International Labour Organization has kicked into full momentum.
The envoy also placed importance on effective and meaningful social dialogue between the industry, government and workers to ensure a culture of safety, transparency and accountability, saying those would create value for the country's readymade garment sector.
"…BGMEA's role is to issue export licences to those factories that undergo structural, fire and electrical inspections," Mr Laramee said.
"This is important to ensure compliance with safety standards but, more importantly, to ensure that a second Rana Plaza tragedy never happens again," he said.
He was speaking at a press briefing after the meeting with the BGMEA leaders.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Md Atiqul Islam, its vice president Reaz-Bin-Mahmood and former president Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, former vice presidents Faruque Hassan and Siddiqur Rahman, among others, were present at the briefing held at the apex body's headquarters in the city.
The meeting with garment exporters was his first since taking over the charge as the high commissioner.
Mr Laramee also suggested adopting green technologies and efficient use of natural resources including water, enhanced training for skilled workers and recognition and protection of labour rights for a 'sustainable' and 'competitive' garment sector.
Canada along with other nations is supporting Bangladesh's reform agenda for the garment sector with an $8.0 million contribution to an ILO's project for improving working conditions in the RMG sector.
Regarding the progress made in the garment sector, he said significant progress has been made over the past few years but more work remains to be done.
He noted that a strategy should be drawn up on how Bangladesh will manage the sector during the transition from a low to middle-income country as the nation will not get duty-free access once it reaches that status.
BGMEA president presented a key note paper describing the challenges and strengths of the sector.
Terming the remediation after the inspection 'big challenge' especially for the small and medium units, he called on the Accord and Alliance to come up with their promised remedial fund.
Replying to a question, he said Bangladesh's exports to Canada is decreasing in recent times mainly due to the devaluation of Canadian and Bangladeshi currencies against US dollar.
    munni_fe@yahoo.com