Apparel makers and two global buyers' platforms-Accord and Alliance-have joined hands to display proper building, fire and electrical safety products and service under one roof.
The expo aims at improving and ensuring workplace safety in the country's readymade garment (RMG) industry, sources said.
Frequent industrial incidents, especially fires at Tazreen and Smart factories and the Rana Plaza collapse that killed more than 1,200 garment workers have highlighted the building, electrical and fire safety issues in the garment sector, they added.
Since the beginning of the apparel manufacturing in Bangladesh, the sector has not taken enough steps to protect its workers. Moreover, tragedies occurred due to unsafe working conditions or poor building construction as there was not enough awareness about those issues, they added.
But the Tazreen fire and the Rana Plaza collapse triggered severe criticism both in local and international business and human rights circles regarding the poor workplace safety and labour standards.
To respond to this need, the Bangladesh government, the industry, the workers' organisations, the foreign buyers and governments are working together to prevent future tragedies, they added.
In this regard, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) with the initiative of Alliance will organise the first 'International Trade Expo for Building and Fire Safety' with support from Accord, IFC, C&A Foundation and Elevate to be held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Dhaka on February 23-24, 2014.
"The Expo, first of its kind, will provide a unique opportunity to bring the industry together with key products, services and technical partners to improve the situation," BGMEA vice president Md Shahidullah Azim told the FE Monday.
To ensure different compliance related issues, a manufacturer needs many building, fire and electrical products. He/she will be acquainted with modern equipment and their uses under one roof, Mr Azim said. The government has started inspection of garment factories while Accord and Alliance will start the same soon.
The factories might ask about many remedial measures including modern equipment. The Expo will act as a catalyst for necessary improvements that will result in a stronger, safer industry for all, he hoped.
The Expo will bring together building and fire safety products and service companies to showcase proper building, fire and electrical safety equipment like fire doors and sprinklers. The Expo will also organise a series of seminars/workshops related to fire, building and electrical safety to share expertise and technical knowledge, he added.
Md Hatem, vice president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) said the event will help create awareness among the manufacturers regarding sourcing of required products, their price and services.
