Uncertainty looms over factory survey

Garment factory inspection by the government and global retailers faces further uncertainties due to a fund crisis and disagreement among stakeholders over a common checklist for the inspection guideline.The labour and employment ministry had a plan to begin inspection of around 2,000 factories by 30 teams of experts led by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology within September 15.But the International Labour Organisation, which is collaborating with the government, is yet to manage a $24 million fund from donors for the inspection, according to Labour and Employment Secretary Mikail Shipar. Though three separate platforms, including the one led by Buet, had earlier agreed in principle to follow a common action plan drawn by the government, they did not turn up later.The other platforms are global initiatives—one led by IndustriALL, an international trade union, and the other is North American Alliance, a platform of 22 US-based retailers and brands.Eighty-five retailers joined the platform led by IndustriALL. Gagan Raj Bhandari, deputy country director at ILO Bangladesh, said the ILO has already signed an agreement with the Dutch government for the release of a portion of the fund. “Similar agreements will be signed with the Canadian and British governments in mid-October,” Bhandari said.“We will assist the [Bangladesh] government in preparing a common checklist for the inspection,” he said by phone.The ILO will hold a meeting with all the three parties on October 6 so they can agree on a common checklist, Labour Secretary Shipar told The Daily Star.“The government is ready to start its own inspection, but the retailers are now making delays. Everything is advancing in a scattered manner,” Shipar said.Both the platforms of global retailers are yet to submit the list of factories they will inspect, the secretary said.The global platforms will now come up with their lists by October 12, he said.However, Roy Ramesh Chandra, general secretary of IndustriALL Bangladesh Council, said they have already agreed in principle to follow the Bangladesh National Building Code for factory inspection.
They will appoint safety inspectors and other officials needed for the inspection within the first week of November, Ramesh said.
“We will be able to submit a list of 1,827 garment factories to the government next week for the inspection.” Opening a new office in Dhaka is their next challenge, he said.