Govt, stakeholders to inspect 46,100 industrial factories

The government and stakeholders will inspect 46,100 factories in 32 industrial sectors, except the export-oriented ones, to ensure a safe working environment at industrial and commercial units.

A joint team of concerned government and private authorities led by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) will inspect the local factories.

The Industry Safety Survey is going to start in mid-October. Initially, the team plans to inspect 5,000 factories in three months, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) President Md Jashim Uddin told a press briefing on Wednesday.

According to the keynote presentation, the team will observe the factories’ checklists, licences, designs, record registration and certificates. The factories will be notified at least three days before the inspection.

During inspection, the team will observe infrastructure and other existing accident elimination systems in the companies and make necessary recommendations to ensure a safe working environment.

FBCCI President Jashim called for the formation of a safety cell in BIDA.

“It will reduce harassment of entrepreneurs and facilitate a safe working environment,” he said, urging traders to cooperate in the factory monitoring activities.

Presenting the keynote, FBCCI’s Safety Council adviser Brig Gen (retd) Abu Naeem Md Shahidullah said 32 sectors have been given priority in terms of accidents and risks.

BIDA Executive Member Abhijit Chowdhury assured the entrepreneurs that the initiative’s main purpose is to create awareness about a safe working environment. “No one will be harassed,” he said.

Director of the Fire Service and Civil Defense Lt Col Zulfiqar Rahman said sector-wise action plans will be adopted at the entrepreneur, association and government level to make the factories safer by sorting out the information obtained through observation.

In an open discussion, the FBCCI directors called for no unnecessary harassment in the name of factory inspections. At the same time, they recommended a reduction in the tariff structure and market prices of security items.

“Although we spent some money on the safety reform process, the country’s export-oriented garment industry is reaping the benefits. Like RMG, the FBCCI is working with BIDA to make the non-RMG sectors secure,” FBCCI’s Senior Vice-President Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu said.

He said only owners are blamed if there is an accident at the factory. The government agency providing licences must also be made accountable.