Graft watchdog Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has recommended formation of a speedy trial tribunal for resolving cases, reinstatement of dismissed workers and fear-free environment in readymade garment sector.The TIB made the recommendations while publishing the research report titled “Good Governance in RMG sector: progress and challenges” at its office in the capital on Tuesday.The report says that 4,947 cases, filed between 2013-19, still remain pending for disposal and disposal of such a big number of cases is a big challenge for the sector. It says that currently trade unions are available in only 3% and most of them are found to be controlled by factory owners and political goons. Besides, it says, fatality vacation as per the law is six months but it is only four weeks in practice. Moreover, almost 1,250 factories including 1,171 under the national initiative, have been closed and 450,000 workers lost their job while only 6,676 workers from two factories got compensation although there is a provision in the law to compensate the workers losing jobs. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, however, claims that around six lakh new worker got job. TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said: “There have been accidents in the garment factories. Cases were filed against the accused but they have remained pending. So, the cases should be brought under a speedy trial tribunal.” The TIB executive director said that even six years after the Rana Plaza accident some challenges still remained as the factory owners gave more attention to their businesses than the rights of the workers. There did not take place notable progresses regarding compensation for the loss of a job, commensurate compensation for an accident, maternity benefits, freedom of association, social safety, he mentioned.The government must ensure good governance in the sector for its durable progress, said Iftekharuzzaman. TIB Assistant Program Manager (research and policy) Nazmul Huda Mina presented the research report based a survey conducted between May, 2018 and March 2019.
