An official report has identified a wide range of irregularities including non-issuance of appointment letter, identity card, non-payment of wage and maternity leave and other rightful benefits to workers in the country’s ready-made garment industry. The extent of irregularities varies in factories registered with BGMEA and BKMEA while they are much higher in the apparel factories who are not the members of any of the two trade bodies, according to the report. In absence of appointment letters, service books and ID cards, the workers were deprived of their lawful rights and benefits, especially in case of any accidents like Tazreen fire and Rana Plaza collapse, labour leaders alleged. Nearly 18 per cent of the factories inspected didn’t provide appointment letters, identity cards to their workers while the rate of non-payment of wages, overtime and non-compliance with government-announced wage structure ranged between 8 and 9 per cent. About 47 per cent of the apparel factories are engaged in operation without taking prior permission from the authorities concerned for extra hours put in by their workers. Only 27 per cent of the factories not associated with BGMEA and BKMEA met the requirement, according to the report. Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) under the ministry of labour has come up with the findings after its regular inspection carried out at 2,495 ready-made garment (RMG) units during the period Out of the surveyed units, 1,401 are the members of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and 475 are the members of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA). Besides, 618 others are not registered with any of the two trade bodies. About 79 per cent of BGMEA and BKMEA members gave maternity leave and allowance while the percentage is only 48 per cent at non-member units, it showed. According to the survey report, 90 per cent and 79 per cent of BGMEA and BKMEA member factories had group insurance for their workers while nearly 45 per cent of non-member factories failed to comply with group insurance requirements. DIFE officials, however, opined that non-member units who have insurance for their workers might be associated with any of the two apparel apex bodies, but they were put in non-member categories due to their failure to provide necessary documents during inspection. Nine and five per cent of the surveyed units failed to ensure pure drinking water and sanitation facilities for their workers, the report showed. According to the amended labour law 2013, formation of safety committee is a must for a factory having 50 workers or above and the committee would be administered as per the rules. Though the law was last amended in 2013, the safety committees were not formed in the factories in absence of the rules that finally published in September 15 last year. Only 53 per cent of the factories inspected have participation committees while 57 per cent of them have safety committees, the report revealed. On the other hand, only three per cent units allowed trade unions. DIFE Inspector General Syed Ahmed said, “Though DIFE has no comprehensive statistics of 2014 to compare improvements in the garment sector, it is true that lots of changes have taken place in the last two years.” The extent of labour unrest has decreased significantly showing that there are improvements especially related to labour rights, he said. Some 3,500 factories have been assessed under three initiatives and remedial work is going on, he said, adding that after the Rana Plaza collapse, workplace safety has been given utmost priority. Workplace safety has improved, but more is needed. “Now we are focusing on ensuring labour rights in line with the labour law. The compliance culture is gradually developing and more awareness is needed among the factory owners and managements in this regard,” he noted. “There are changes, although they are not at desired level,” Sirajul Islam Rony, a labour leader said, adding that the extent of irregularities in subcontracting and small and medium-sized units are still high. Regular monitoring, presence of trade unions, participatory and safety committees help bring improvements in BGMEA and BKMEA member units, he observed, adding, “But participation and safety committees can’t be alternative to trade union to ensure labour rights.” Terming improvement a continuous process, BGMEA vice president Mahmud Hasan Khan said factory owners are investing huge money to ensure safety at their units. His association will take necessary measures to address irregularities in units if any, he added.
