Bangladesh has decided to take stern action against garment factories that fail to conduct structural, fire and electrical assessment. Punitive action includes stopping factory production. Some 11 garment factories, which were unwilling to be assessed in the past, say they are now interested in receiving the free inspection service. Roughly 1,500 factories, which remain outside the purview of Accord and Alliance, are expected to be assessed by a government-ILO joint program and ILO is paying the cost of inspection.

The joint assessment program began in November 2013. Some 800 garment factories have so far been assessed under the initiative, while Accord and Alliance inspected their listed factories within the set timeframe. The assessment program was reportedly delayed due to non-cooperation of factory management and inconsistencies in information including factory addresses and contact numbers the ILO received from apparel industry associations.

Earlier, the deadline for the free assessment of garment factories was set at April, 30, 2015. It has since been revised to July 31. After the expiry of the revised deadline, building and factory owners have to bear the cost of assessment. The assessment covers factories that are members of either the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) or the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).