April 24, 2014 marks the first anniversary of the collapse of the eight-storey Rana Plaza in Savar District, Dhaka. This is also the largest work accident in South Asia since the Bhopal incident in 1984 – the tragedy will The safety of workers in Bangladesh’s textile and garment industry has hit media headlines around the world, making it impossible for people to turn a blind eye to the deep-seated safety issues behind this $22 billion export engine that drives the country’s economic development. So where are we today, one year later? Where should we go?
Bangladesh’s garment exports soared by 20% in the first half of the fiscal year 2013/2014. Still, ongoing political unrest, labor disputes and factory safety concerns have not abated. The Rana Plaza incident has prompted buyers to take more steps on fire and building safety issues. Many European buyers participated in the signing of the Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Agreement, and many American buyers also signed the corresponding Bangladesh Worker Safety Alliance. A government project team on the Rana Plaza accident was also created. Putting this agreement and alliance into action is the National Tripartite Plan for Action on Fire Protection, Electrical Safety and Physical Health in the Bangladesh Readymade Garment Sector (NAP).
These projects share a common goal. For example, the signatories of the agreement clearly pledged to “build a safe and sustainable Bangladesh garment industry and adopt reasonable health and safety measures so that workers in the industry no longer have to fear fire, building collapse or other accidents.” The agreement will International industry associations, UNI Global Alliance and Bangladeshi trade unions have linked up with international brands to require brands to disclose their respective suppliers, and have received support from the Bangladesh government and the European Union. In the early months of 2014, the projects linked to a total of 150 companies aimed at ensuring that health and safety measures were taken by all parties in the supply chain and at the 1,700 Bangladeshi garment factories.
The Rana Plaza incident made everyone understand one thing: the previous business operation model is no longer enough, and more stringent health and safety tracking records need to be established. However, a survey by the International Labor Organization (ILO) shows that the problem of work-related safety accidents is still serious, and its triggering factors are various, mostly related to weak infrastructure, such as old wiring installation methods, low safety standards and dangerous buildings. Other problems stem from inappropriate behavior: factory floor supervisors lock doors and cover windows with metal bars, for example. Other challenges stem from outdated management practices, such as a lack of communication channels between middle managers, frontline workers and senior executives, as well as challenges from corruption.
The Rana Plaza incident has forced stakeholders in Bangladesh’s garment industry to work together to address the challenges facing the industry. However, fire and building safety are only part of the many issues that need to be addressed. These problems are diverse and wide-ranging, mostly occur during the manufacturing stage, and require a systematic solution. Improving resource efficiency and supply chain transparency, improving infrastructure, optimizing working conditions, and learning and replicating best management practices from industry leaders are key success factors.
