Workplace Safety in RMG Sector of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Ready-Made Garment industry has grown over the space of
a few short decades to become the second largest in the world. The RMG
sector has become a key driver of the Bangladesh economy and the nations
development. RMG exports totaled US$24.5 billion (2013-14) accounting for
over 80% of the nations export earnings and employing around 4 million
workers, an estimated 55-60% of whom are women.
The loss of 1,136 lives when Rana Plaza collapsed on 24 April 2013 sent
shockwaves worldwide. Coming just months after the fatal fire at Tazreen
Fashions in which 112 died it was clear that the Bangladesh Ready Made
Garment (RMG) sector had reached a crucial juncture. Business could not
continue as usual. Fundamental changes relating to safety, inspection and
compliance had to be made if the lives of over four million workers were to
be safeguarded and the confidence of global buyers retained.
The ILO responded quickly to the Rana Plaza tragedy with a high level
mission to Dhaka at the start of May 2013, which agreed immediate and
medium term actions with the Government of Bangladesh and employers
and workers organizations. These were integrated into the National Tripartite
Plan of Action on fire safety and structural integrity (NTPA), which was
developed following the Tazreen factory fire in November 2012. The ILO since
launched a US$31.4 million, three-and-a-half year program funded by
Canada, the Netherlands and UK to support implementation of the NTPA and
improve working conditions in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector. Key
elements are already being implemented, including building and fire safety
assessments; labor inspection reforms; occupational safety and health;
rehabilitation and skills training as well as the launch of Better Work
Bangladesh.
Following the collapse of the Rana Plaza it was decided that 3,508 exportoriented RMG factories should undergo structural, fire and electrical safety
inspections.
Two initiatives representing international brands and retailers: the
Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety and the Alliance for
Bangladesh Worker Safety have carried out inspections of the factories which
their member companies source from. As part of its RMG program supported
by Canada, the Netherlands and UK, ILO supported the national initiative of
the Government of Bangladesh to carry inspections of the factories not
covered by Accord or Alliance. By 31 December 2015 the inspections had
been concluded. In total three initiatives inspected 3,632 factories of which
1,549 were assessed through the national initiative. A total of 39 factories
have been closed for posing an immediate danger to workers.
Requirement:

State the role of employers associations in Bangladesh to ensure the safety

working place for garments workers in RMG sector of Bangladesh.