Five years down the line of Rana Plaza disaster, Bangladesh’s apparel manufacturers say a lot has changed within this time and now the country’s major industry is among the SAFEST in the world.
Speaking at a press briefing on April 21, 2018, ahead of Rana Plaza anniversary, Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Siddiqur Rahman said, “The readymade garments sector of the country is now a ‘role model’ of workplace safety worldwide”.
The press briefing was held at BGMEA Complex. Among those present with him were: BGMEA Vice President (Finance) Mohammed Nasir and three board of directors of the BGMEA.
It is pertinent to add here that the Rana Plaza complex collapsed on April 24, 2013, killing at least 1,138 garment workers and injuring over 2,500 others – in what was the biggest industrial disaster in the history of the world. Many survivors are still languishing in trauma or physical disability after the incident.
“After the Rana Plaza tragedy, we turned our grief into strength. We took a resolve to turn our workplace safe for the workers. At the same time, we launched ourselves into building a more sustainable industry. And now, we are an example to the world about safe workplace safety,” the BGMEA Chief underlined.
At the event, it was also highlighted that the BGMEA is cautious about handing out membership certificates to factories and that now only compliant factories are being acknowledged.
Additionally, it was said ‘now’ that the scrutiny has been intensified, a garment manufacturing factory has to do a lot of paperwork before achieving certification from a number of Government departments. And also, the apex garment trade association has created a guideline for the sub-contracting factories as well.
However, Rahman elucidated his concern over intensified efforts to tarnish the image of Bangladesh’s garment factories. He called out to all to extend full cooperation to the garment industry of Bangladesh – the lifeline for the country’s economy.
