It was news of big relief that the international buyers would continue to source readymade garments from Bangladesh despite the unfortunate terror incidents in the country recently. A spokesman of the buyers, mostly from the North American companies, last week informed that the business would continue as usual though there could be some rescheduling of regular visits by the brand representatives due to travel restrictions or cautions imposed by the US and some European governments. Nonetheless, this enables the garments industry owners as well as the government of Bangladesh to stop scratching heads. Indeed, the militant incidents in the country over the months have been quite worrying. Though these enforced a dent in the image of the country, such militancy is a global syndrome these days. Hardly any day passes without a report of terrorist attack across the world, at times quite gruesome and with colossal damages. The entire world, it seems, has become a theatre of such incidents and none can predict where and of what nature these incidents would take place. For Bangladesh’s readymade garments industry, any dislocation due to global terrorism has an impact. The readymade garment (RMG) sector has been the single biggest contributor to national socio-economic development. It is the hundred-per cent exporter; it is foremost foreign exchange earner; it is the largest employer; and it has the widest supply chain linkages besides being the host to investments of billions of dollars. Therefore, any disruption in the economics of the industry would entail catastrophe for the country, the government, business, workers and common people, all together. The RMG sector in Bangladesh had already passed through enough of trials and distress. Incidents of fire, factory collapse and unsafe working conditions had brought “yellow cards” for the industry on many occasions. The most devastating period was in 2013 when the Rana Plaza complex accident took place killing over a thousand workers. It was feared that the industry would receive a “red card” as global consumer associations, human rights activists and social scientists raised eye brows at the health and safety issues in the country. Thankfully, the grave situation was overcome with massive efforts and investments in improving the safety conditions and the country’s RMG image was back in track. Now that the overall safety issues in the sector have been duly addressed and confidence of the buyers significantly reassured, the wave of terror incidents is obviously charting new challenges. This unwarranted situation demands a rethinking of the business strategy of the sector with as much concentration on ensuring security and safety of the RMG establishments and their workers, as possible. The government, on its part, should also bring the sector under the purview of national security map so that the sector as well as the international buyers feels confident in conducting their business. Indeed, this is a new moral imperative.
