Apparel factories in Bangladesh with a good track record of workers' welfare are receiving increased orders from global retailers and buyers. On the other hand, export orders have been decreasing with non-compliant factories. Workers' safety system, firefighting equipment, evacuation mechanism, proper installation of machines and healthy work environment are among the compliance issues.
International brands and buyers consider the fire and structural safety of garment factories before placing import orders. Big factories compliant with labor standards have seen a sharp increase in work orders in recent months. A big number of international buyers are now turning to bigger and better compliant factories, resulting in increased orders. Medium and small factories which do not fulfill safety standards are going to face a shortage of orders.
Of the 5,500 factories listed by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, 3,500 are running and about 2,000 to 2,200 units have taken utilisation declaration from the association. Knitwear and woven garments exports of Bangladesh posted 16 per cent and 13 per cent growth respectively in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. The readymade garment sector contributed $21.51 billion to the country's export basket in the last 2012-13 fiscal year, and is eyeing $24.14 billion in the current fiscal year.
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