Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain speaking as the chief guest at a views exchange meeting organised by BGMEA on Building, Fire and Electrical Safety Assessment of RMG Factories in the city Tuesday. A fresh complexity has emerged over global buyers' factory inspection programmes, as local apparel makers have raised objection regarding the assessment, carried out only by foreign engineers.
The apparel makers' objection surfaced at a views exchange meeting on building, fire and electric safety assessment in RMG factories.
BGMEA organised the programme at its headquarters in the city Tuesday, where Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain was present as the chief guest.
Professor Jamilur Reza Choudhury, vice chancellor of University of Asia Pacific, Shamim Z Bosunia, president of Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh, and Md Nurul Huda, chairman of RAJUK, among others, spoke at the programme.
Two BUET professors presented keynote paper on guidelines on fire and building safety assessment.
President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Md. Atiqul Islam in his speech sought the government's intervention to formulate the guidelines, including mandatory approval from the authorities concerned for foreign engineers, assessing the garment factories.
The Accord has already appointed four global companies to assess the local RMG units. He requested the minister to take necessary measures, so that those engineers inspect the units with local engineers, as the global experts are not familiar with the country's scenario.
"The garment industry is under threat after the Rana Plaza tragedy, as buyers are imposing many new conditions on the manufactures, especially about safety-related measures." The BGMEA chief also urged the minister to sit with the Accord and the Alliance in this regard.
Following the apparel makers request, the housing minister assured them that the government will take measures, so that the global buyers inspect the apparel manufacturing units by forming teams with local engineers.
"We will sit shortly to formulate a detailed and realistic plan."
A high-powered team will be formed to look into the factories, located in areas under the detailed area plan (DAP). Time will be given to relocate those factories, he assured.
Professor Jamilur Reza Choudhury stressed on formulating a guideline for the foreign engineers, who will assess the country's garment factories.
He opined that those engineers must follow the guidelines, and obtain registration from the authorities concerned. Besides, the assessment programmes should be carried out with local representatives.
The RAJUK chairman recommended a specialized body to look into the factories that have various problems.
BUET professor A Hasib Chowdhury said during their inspection of garment factories they found improper design and lack of necessary equipments and maintenance in some units.
Professor Maksud Helali recommended resolving the inconsistency among the existing fire and electrical laws of BNBC, fire service, fire law and industrial law.
Professor Ishtiaq Ahmed said the Accord and the Alliance have agreed on 99 per cent of the standards on structural integrity, prepared by the National Tripartite Committee, while they have a few disagreements regarding those of fire and electrical safety standards.
© 2026 - All Rights with The Financial Express
