More than 250 textile and garment factories in Bangladesh have not been in operation for the last few years. They want to relocate to places that meet workplace and other safety requirements but have not been allowed to shift their existing gas connection to new destinations. The reason: the government does not allow a shift of gas connections is unknown.

After the Rana Plaza building collapse, many manufacturers frantically tried to relocate their units from shared or rented buildings to more sustainable locations. While they could shift machines and workers, they were forced to leave their boilers and generators and washing and dyeing units behind, since they were not assured of power in the new locations. Some 30 spinning mills are waiting for gas connections though they have invested a huge amount of money.

Leaders of garment factories have demanded gas connections for the country’s largest foreign currency earner on a priority basis. Investment in 30 spinning mills has remained unused while many more units could not go in for expansion due to gas scarcity for some years. On the other hand it is not possible for garment owners to continue operating from where they have been. If they do that they risk losing orders because buyers insist the units meet safety requirements.