The differences over inspection of 350 ready-garment (RMG) units selected by both Accord and Alliance for assessment are said to be increasing. While the Accord is sticking to its previous decision to assess all its listed factories, including those which have been overlapped with the Alliance list, the Alliance has decided to inspect the said numbers of factories, except 20 units which have already been assessed by the Accord.
Experts feel that if they both remain firm on their decisions regarding the inspection of common factories, it may lead to some problems including disruption in production activities of a significant number of units. Given the current situation, the matter was raised at a meeting held this week between the government and the stakeholders including representatives from the Accord and the Alliance.
Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed, Labour Secretary Mikail Shipar, envoys from the embassies of the USA, the EU, Canada, the Netherlands and Denmark; BGMEA Vice President Md Shahidullah Azim, BKMEA Vice President Md Hatem, Alliance Managing Director M Rabin and Accord Chief Safety Inspector (CSI) Brad Loewen were present at the meeting held at the commerce ministry. The meeting discussed the updates on the ongoing garment factory assessment programs by Accord, Alliance and BUET. ILO and the labour ministry are also jointly working on modifications required in the database for the garment sector.
