Under the National Plan of Action, many readymade garment (RMG) factories are still unwilling to go through fire, electrical and structural assessment being carried out by the International Labour Organisation ILO-nominated engineers.

Recently, a list of about 88 factories was sent by the ILO to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) that these factories were not interested in undergoing assessment. It again sought the apparel apex body’s cooperation. They said that these factories were members of the BGMEA and running their manufacturing activities. Faruque Hassan, Senior Vice-President, BGMEA confirmed the receipt of a list of factories that were not interested in being inspected.

Industry insiders said that some factories are unwilling to be assessed as they are planning to relocate, while others were unwilling to be assessed by the Western retailer groups. Some units’ compliance situation is poor; hence they are unwilling for an inspection, while others operate as and when they have orders.

The ILO had extended the free-of-cost inspection opportunity until October 31 next year earlier. Around 1,400 factories have been inspected under the national initiative so far, which started in November 2013.

Hassan said that if they want to do business, all factories have to undergo inspection under any of the three initiatives and they would ask them again to undergo it. He added that factories will have to take the liability if not inspected within the deadline as the BGMEA will not take any responsibility. Besides, the Association will stop providing service to those listed factories that would fail to be assessed, Hassan said. Apart from this, the BGMEA will also ask its members not to provide any work order to the non-compliant factories.

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