The thriving readymade garment sector (RMG) of Bangladesh is in news once again! However, this time it is for the rampant irregularities and corruption that have reportedly seeped deep into the entire supply chain of Bangladesh’s RMG supply chain.
According to a study carried out by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), widespread use of bribes to hush up various irregularities is a common practice in the garment industry of the country.
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Making public the findings of the report in a press conference recently, TIB underlined that bribery has become a regular practice to hide lapses in standard of goods, quantity and compliance. The report further stated that corruption prevailed in all the three phases of supply chain, namely work order, production and supply, in which factory owners, merchandisers and buyers are involved.
“Everyone is involved in irregularities in lesser or larger measure. It is unfair to pull up Government official only. Buyers, agents, and other linked to this sector cannot shrug off their responsibility,” stated Executive Director of TIB Iftekharuzzaman.
The study report also said, “Bribes are offered to cover up the lapses in quality and quantity of products and in compliance… Irregularities and corruption has been a regular phenomenon in the entire supply chain.”
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To control the malpractices, TIB also recommended a string of measures, including unannounced factory inspection, initiation of legal steps against errant factories, identification numbers for factories, establishment of a Government cell to monitor the payment of the minimum wages to workers, and strict enforcement of policies by BGMEA, BKMEA, Labour Ministry, etc.
TIB identified a total of 16 phases of supply chain where corruption is apparent and said those need to be addressed.
