CHITTAGONG: Commerce Minister GM Quader called for ensuring workers’ safety and welfare to utilise “golden chance” in the country’s garment sector has now on the global market after China’s shift to hi-tech industry.
It is also required not to lose GSP facility in exports, he added while inaugurating 11th Chittagong Apparel, Fabrics and Accessories Exposition (CAFAXPO) in the port city Wednesday.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) organised the three-day exposition at Chittagong Jila Krira Sangstha (CJKS) Gymnasium Complex premises.
The recent large-scale casualties in the fire in two garment factories of the country have left a negative impression to all about the sector, said the minister.
He emphasised ensuring improved safety facilities in the factories to restore the good image of the sector.
GM Quader said all factories producing RMG products need to be brought under the control of BGMEA to make sure that all are compliant.
National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Ghulam Hossain also spoke as special guest.
He suggested BGMEA to raise welfare fund for workers through participatory system instead of contributing five percent of profit to it.
BGMEA President Shafiqul Islam Mohiuddin presided over the function. He said BGMEA gave compensations to families of 57 fire victims of Tazreen Garments. Each of 57 families got Tk 600,000, he said.
DNA test revealed identity of other 39 victims while the process of identifying the remaining 13 victims of the fire is going on, said BGMEA president. All of them will also get same amounts of compensation, he added.
To ensure fire safety in the factories, BGMEA and Government’s Fire Service Department are jointly holding fire drills for the garment workers under a crash programme.
It will train up 35,000 workers in six months. So far, 4400 workers have already been trained up. The trained-up workers will later train their other colleagues, BGMEA president said.
BGMEA First Vice-President Nasir Uddin Chowdhury and former first vice-president SM Abu Tayab also addressed the function.
A number of 24 machinery, fabrics and accessories and service firms are participating in CAFAXPO 2013 with 47 stalls.