Three more RMG units closed in city

The government panel has temporarily closed down three more garment factories after engineers hired by Western retailers' detected major structural flaws in the building, sources said.
Syed Ahmed, Inspector General of Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) told the FE that on April 10, the government panel ordered for, a 15-day closure of the three factories-Four Wings Ltd, Itune Fashion and Natural Sweater-housed in an eight-storied complex in the capital city.
The building is overloaded while structural flaws are also found there, he said.
Md Shahidullah Azim, vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), who is also a member of the official review committee, said the authorities concerned have asked for a detailed engineering assessment within next 15 days and during the period production would remain suspended there.
The three factories employ about 2500 workers, he said adding final decision would be taken after the detailed engineering assessment of the building is available.
The latest closure of the three factories came following the Accord's recommendation that six factories, including one in Chittagong, should be evacuated because of structural flaws in the buildings. The factories are Four Wings Ltd, Cherry Pvt Ltd, All Weather Fashions Ltd, Men's Apparel Ltd, Elegance Oriental Ltd and Libas Textiles Ltd.
The review committee, comprising representatives from the government, Accord, Alliance, BUET, BGMEA and BKMEA have started scrutinising the recommendations.
On April 2, the committee visited two units - Four Wings and Cherry Pvt Ltd and asked them to examine the concrete strength of the columns and thickness of the slabs within seven days.
The 15 days' production suspension of Four Wings and two other factories came in line with the previous recommendation.
Later on April 6, the panel found that the building that housed Mens Apparel and three other garment units-Day Apparel, Day Fashions and Bayazid Fashions-was risky and should be evacuated immediately.
The experts' team asked the factory owners for conducting detailed engineering assessment and submitting the reports to the review panel by two weeks.
After getting the detailed engineering report, experts will make decision whether it will be possible to retrofit the building for running the factories, the DIFE IG said.
About 2,700 workers are employed in the four units located in Chittagong and the owners have been asked to pay their wages and benefits as per labour law during production suspension.
Owners have agreed with the proposal, Mr Ahmed added.
On April 7, the panel visited the building that accommodated All Weather Fashions and Crystal Apparels and asked the two units to evacuate two floors within seven days as the condition of the building is critical to bear the load.
The panel is yet to visit two other factories-Elegance Oriental Ltd and Libas Textiles Ltd.