At a time when worker and workplace safety in Bangladesh’s readymade garment sector has come under the scanner in the wake of the recent fire incident at Gazipur-based Matrix Sweater Ltd, the country’s unified code for factory safety inspections has earned much praise from the largest trade body in the US for garment and footwear retailers– The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA).
Speaking on the ‘Policy Recommendations for Deepening the US-Africa Trade and Investment Relationship: Post-AGOA Trade and Investment USTR-2015-0019’ in the US on January 28, Executive Vice-President of AAFA Stephen Lamar reportedly praised the inspection method being employed in the Bangladesh garment industry, while underlining that the African garment manufacturers can learn from Bangladesh’s experience and apply the positive lessons’.
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Following the code, the two foreign inspection agencies – Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh and Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety — both representing western retailers and buyers, and the National Action Plan have reportedly completed inspections of 3,660 garment factories, till now.
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It may be mentioned here that Accord has recently sought Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association’s (BGMEA) intervention to expedite remediation work in some 525 readymade garment factories (which are on the suppliers’ list of Accord) that have reportedly showed slow progress, while Alliance, the agency of 27 North American retailers and brands, has called upon the garment manufacturers of Bangladesh to fast-track the remediation process of their production units to help avoid incidents like the Matrix Sweater fire.
“While much progress is being made in the Bangladesh readymade garment factories, this fire highlights the need for continued, collaborative efforts to ensure that all factories are thoroughly remediated,” a statement issued by Alliance reportedly said, adding, “Alliance’s mission is to ensure that factories meet strict inspection standards and provide a safe working environment free of structural, electrical and fire-related hazards.”
