Sunday | 27 April 2025 | Reg No- 06
Bangla
   
Bangla | Sunday | 27 April 2025 | Epaper
BREAKING: ● Jamaat backs PR voting, 2-term PM cap, bicameral parliament      ● Recruitment must be fully transparent: Adviser Asif       ● BAU students block Dhaka-M'singh rail route in solidarity with DU protesters      ● China supports vision of strong, democratic Bangladesh: Fakhrul      ● Govt engages power plant operators to revise electricity tariffs: Energy Adviser      ● Blast in south Iran port: 4 killed, hundreds injured      ● Govt launches Tk 103.35cr project to strengthen air pollution monitoring      

Major challenges for achieving 'Better safety, better RMG' goal  

Published : Sunday, 16 March, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 2090
Rana Dutta
"Better safety, better RMG" - this could be the potential slogan of the global RMG industry. However, the journey toward better safety is not a smooth one; it is fraught with obstacles and challenges. To achieve the ultimate goal of absolute safety and perfection, safety researchers continuously conduct in-depth studies, identifying root causes, obstacles, and challenges. Simultaneously, they recommend essential initiatives to overcome these hurdles, enabling Bangladesh's RMG sector to emerge as a safer, more attractive destination for investment, instilling confidence and pride.

Although Bangladesh has made significant strides through regulatory reforms and international initiatives, challenges persist. Stronger enforcement of safety laws, continuous factory inspections, and greater accountability from both owners and buyers are essential. The well-being of millions of workers depends on making safety not just a compliance requirement but a core pillar of the industry's operations.

Building a safer RMG sector is a win-win proposition. It's not just the ethical choice-it's a smart business decision. Prioritizing worker safety enhances brand reputation, strengthens consumer trust, and boosts productivity. By empowering millions of workers, primarily low-income women, and ensuring their well-being, we can foster a more stable and sustainable industry. By prioritizing this, we achieve dual benefits: safeguarding lives and driving economic growth, further establishing Bangladesh's RMG leadership.

Global brands now require compliance with international safety standards, holding manufacturers accountable for maintaining them. Failure to meet these requirements can lead to severe consequences, including contract cancellations, reputational damage, and substantial market losses. Conversely, prioritizing safety boosts productivity, reduces absenteeism, and strengthens worker trust.

In globalized supply chains, workplace safety is no longer a discretionary choice; it is now a fundamental requirement for business sustainability, worker well-being, and meeting the demands of informed consumers. A strategic commitment to safety yields a powerful trifecta: safeguarding employees, bolstering reputation, and driving significant financial gains, ultimately securing a distinct competitive advantage.As a result, workplace safety has evolved from a mere 'nice-to-have' to an absolute necessity in the interconnected business world.

Building safety is a critical concern, especially in the garment industry. Many garment factories operate in converted residential or commercial buildings, which were not designed to support the weight of heavy machinery or large workforces. Structural flaws, inadequate maintenance, and unauthorized modifications further increase the risk of collapse -tragically exemplified by the 2013 Rana Plaza disaster, which highlighted the precarious conditions workers endure.

Fire safety is another ongoing issue, as inadequate precautions place workers at considerable risk. In many factories, fire exits are either absent or obstructed, often blocked by stored materials or locked to prevent unauthorized movement. Alarm systems, if present, are frequently unreliable, failing to provide timely warnings in emergencies. Firefighting equipment, such as extinguishers, sprinklers, and fire hydrants, is often insufficient or poorly maintained, leaving workers with limited resources to control fires before they spread.

The presence of flammable materials further increases the danger. Chemicals, fabrics, and other combustible substances are stored in ways that heighten the risk of ignition. Overcrowded production floors exacerbate the situation, as workers have limited space to move and respond swiftly in the event of a fire. In such conditions, a small spark can rapidly escalate into a life-threatening disaster, with workers struggling to escape due to blocked pathways and congested exits.

Despite growing global attention and pressure for improved fire safety measures, many factories continue to operate with minimal compliance. Some progress has been made, particularly in larger, export-oriented facilities, but fire hazards remain a persistent threat in smaller factories, where regulations are weakly enforced. Workers often receive little to no fire safety training, leaving them ill-prepared for emergencies.

Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, and poor maintenance create serious potentialfire and accident hazards. Without proper precautions, even minor issues can escalate into major risks. Inadequate worker training exacerbates these dangers, increasing the likelihood of shocks, burns, and other injuries. Regular inspections, proper maintenance, and comprehensive training are essential for ensuring workplace safety. Ignoring these safeguards precipitates both human tragedy and operational paralysis, resulting in costly disruptions and unnecessary downtime.

Ensuring worker safety in the RMG industry requires a multifaceted approach. This includes enforcing robust building codes, strengthening labor rights, and prioritizing fire safety. Additionally, sustainable sourcing practices, innovation, and strong government oversight are indispensable. Addressing social and economic vulnerabilities, fostering a culture of safety, enhancing long-term resilience, and promoting international cooperation are also crucial for achieving lasting and comprehensive safety improvements in the sector.

The Rana Plaza tragedy, for example, highlighted the urgent need to strengthen building codes and enforce them rigorously within the garment industry. This calls for the development and implementation of comprehensive safety regulations covering structural integrity, fire prevention, electrical systems, and emergency exits. Regular reviews and updates should be conducted to ensure compliance with the latest safety standards and best practices.

To effectively enforce these regulations, it is crucial to establish a robust system of independent inspections and audits conducted by qualified professionals. These inspections should be unannounced and thorough, covering all aspects of factory safety to ensure full compliance. Additionally, promoting third-party certifications for factories that meet rigorous safety standards can significantly boost consumer confidence. This strategy creates a win-win scenario, enhancing consumer trust while simultaneously strengthening manufacturers' competitive advantage through a focus on safety and worker well-being.

Finally, while significant progress has been made through regulatory reforms and global partnerships, continued vigilance remains essential. Strengthening the enforcement of safety regulations, conducting regular factory inspections, and ensuring accountability for both owners and buyers are crucial to protecting worker well-being. Prioritizing safety not only secures the future of the RMG industry but also benefits both workers and the businesses that depend on them. Ultimately, a safer workplace is not just about compliance-it is about safeguarding the very people who form the backbone of this vibrant sector.

The writer is Asst. Deputy Secretary, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA)


LATEST NEWS
MOST READ
Also read
Our environment is a treasure - and our legacy
Air pollution is playing havoc with human life  
Legal process for business mergers, acquisitions in Bangladesh
Cox's Bazar grapples with chaos of unplanned urbanisation
Effective steps needed to harness benefits of our pharmaceutical industry 
Pope Francis' lessons must guide the Middle East
Create green culture to get respite from heatwaves
Terrorist attack on Kashmir escalates Indo-Pak standoff
Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Online: 41053014; Advertisement: 41053012.
E-mail: [email protected], news©dailyobserverbd.com, advertisement©dailyobserverbd.com, For Online Edition: mailobserverbd©gmail.com
🔝
close