BGMEA launches factory safety inspection today

A taskforce formed by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) starts a drive today to check safety compliance in apparel factories.
The taskforce formed on December 8 will visit three factories in Ashulia on the first day, BGMEA President Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin told The Daily Star by phone yesterday.
The BGMEA chief leads the initial 15-member taskforce consisting of architectural experts from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, buyers' representatives, BGMEA members, fire safety and compliance officials.
“We plan to increase the number of the members as the inspection will continue for long,” Mohiuddin said.
Officials from the labour and employment ministry will be included in the taskforce, he said.
BGMEA Vice-president Faruque Hassan said the taskforces formed in the wake of past disasters only visited a number of factories and advised the factory owners to improve compliance; there was no follow-up inspection.
This time, the taskforce will inspect the factories of all BGMEA members to dig out flaws in compliance and designs of the buildings.
The factory owners would then be given a deadline to rectify the defects, Hassan said.
The BGMEA, which has been under pressure from buyers after the Tazreen fire that killed 112 workers, is seriously looking into the matter of workplace safety.
Hassan said the BGMEA along with some buyers will form a foundation for the education of the children of the Tazreen fire victims. A meeting regarding the foundation is scheduled on December 29.

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