Readymade garment manufacturing units in Bangladesh reopened on May 2, 2013, after the Savar building collapse. “Yes, the garment factories have reopened today,” Mr. Atiqul Islam, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) told fibre2fashion on phone.
Production at apparel making units was suspended fearing massive labour unrest in the aftermath of the collapse of Rana Plaza, which housed five separate garment units. The building collapse on Wednesday, April 24, resulted in death of over 400 people. Meanwhile, the BGMEA has urged the Government to take adequate security measures so that no untoward incident takes place. Earlier this week, representatives of more than 40 buyers, including H&M, JC Penney, Gap Inc, Inditex, Levi’s, Marks & Spencer, Teseco, Target, Nike Inc, Primark and New Look held a meeting with BGMEA leaders.
At the meeting, it was decided that a committee, including representatives from buyers, would be formed to determine the terms of references regarding assessment of all safety-related issues of apparel units, including their building structure. Accordingly, buyers would be submitting a list of the names of their representatives this week to the BGMEA for formation of the committee, and to decide the future course of action.
At the meeting, BGMEA leaders urged the buyers’ representatives to talk to their respective top managements to extend shipment time of products and not to impose any penalty on them considering the overall situation. Meanwhile, BGMEA has issued a circular to all its members, advising them to get their garment factory buildings examined by recognized structural designer/design firm, and send a copy of their recommendation to BGMEA before May 31, 2013, for safe operation of the garments activities in the building (s). Last week, at an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) of BGMEA, members agreed to shift their generators to ground floor if they are upstairs within 30 days time.
