Bangladesh to expedite RMG factories remediation

15 Mar '16

2 min read

The Bangladesh government has decided to double the number of engineering firms to conduct the Detailed Engineering Assessment (DEA) to expedite remediation works of readymade garment (RMG) factories, junior Labour Minister Mujibul Haque has said

The decision came after factory owners and government officials identified three major factors that have slowed down remediation works in the readymade garment (RMG) factories.

Fewer engineering firms, lack of knowledge of factory owners about remediation and late completion of inspections are holding back the progress of the remediation works in the readymade garment factories that were inspected under the government-ILO joint initiative, factory owners and government officials said in a meeting in Dhaka on Sunday.

'We have decided to double the engineering firms for conducting detailed engineering assessment in an aim to expedite the remediation works,' Bangladesh's junior Labour Minister Mujibul Haque said at a press briefing in the Dhaka.

Currently, there are 13 engineering firms, which are eligible and permitted to conduct the assessment as per the requirement of global retailers.

He spoke to reporters after a meeting with 115 RMG factory owners based in Dhaka at Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) office.

Haque said the factory owners had been asked to inform the ministry when they completed the remediation works in their units.

Labour Secretary Mikail Shipar said the owners were facing problems for conducting the DEA as only 13 engineering firms were entitled for the works and they are costly to hire.

The government in association with the ILO has so far inspected 1,549 factories and in which 25 units were graded as Red (seriously risky). (SH)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India

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