Cases have been filed against 1,683 factories and establishments in Bangladesh, including 392 garment units, for doing business without valid approval and adequate safety measures. Inspectors are focusing mainly on fire safety standards, including fire prevention measures, electrical safety, number of staircases, provision of 25 per cent open rooftop and a valid license. They found workers were not registered, no appointment letters and identification cards with no photos, no regular fire drills, obstacles in passages and absence of benefits like maternity leave. Besides, a large number of factories were not fully compliant with fire safety standards.

However, it’s doubtful if such a step will yield positive results. For one, fines are too low to deter offenders. Many a time, owners pay the penalty and carry on as usual. The inspection teams themselves are facing a shortage of manpower. The ministry has made a move to appoint additional 200 inspectors by March next.

The government is focusing on garment factories due to frequent accidents, pressure from the buyers, and the image crisis the sector is now facing. The country’s garment industry has in recent times been hit by a series of devastating fires and building collapses leading to loss of lives and damage to property.